Title: | DMU and EMU Recognition Guide |
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Author: | Colin J Marsden |
Publisher: | Ian Allan |
Format: | Book |
Subject: | Rolling Stock |
Category: | Detail |
Spec: | A5, hardback, 390 pages, colour throughout. ISBN: 978-0-7110-3740-3 |
Publication date: | 2013 |
Summary: | An amazingly detailed review of every type of multiple unit to have operated on Britain's main-line railways over the past 125 years. |
Review: | While most books about 'recognition' tend to focus on just current rolling stock, from 2011 Ian Allan started publishing some 'all-time' recognition guides, covering historical types as well. The first volume dealt with locomotives (not yet seen), and was followed in 2013 by a book covering multiple units. This details every type of diesel and electric multiple unit to have operated in Britain. Despite the title, battery, gas-turbine and un-powered units are also included. Also despite the title, this is much more than just a recognition guide that tells you how to identify class X from class Y. The book is split roughly 50/50 between diesel and electric units and within each half, each type is dealt with in chronological order (or class number order where this is more appropriate). Each type has a table of technical data, followed by a selection of photos with captions detailing each type's history, operations and main variants. Although primarily a work of reference, the breadth of the subject matter, the quality of the photographs and the informative captions make this a book that you could spend quite some time just reading. |
Reviewed: | 08/09/2015 by Thomas Young (Comments made by others can appear in the notes section towards the bottom of this page) |
Sample pages: | (Click on any image to view full-sized in a new window)
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005201s.jpg)
The cover photos suggests a Southern bias but this is misleading.
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005202s.jpg)
Each section is colour-coded, including the page edges, making navigation simple. The tables of data are clear yet comprehensive, while the photos are all excellent and include some very rare views.
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005203s.jpg)
Types which were given TOPS classifications are covered in class number order. Some, like the Cravens 112s shown here, were withdrawn before TOPS came fully into use.
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005204s.jpg)
While B&W photos had to be used for older types, colour features everywhere else. Photos are smallish, there being between 2 and 4 on most pages. As seen here, as many livery variations as possible have been included.
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005205s.jpg)
Photos of every class seem to have been found, even long-gone types such as these Lancaster-Morecambe units.
![Page image](reviewimages/rev005206s.jpg)
The photos include some views of intermediate vehicles. |
Notes: |
No notes have been left yet. ?There may be some notes posted but which have not yet been approved.
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Edits: | This item has not been edited.
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