Exquisite drawings of locomotives, carriages, and stations offering unparalleled insight into the history, design and operation of the railway.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first railway was established in Great Britain, contributing to the country’s dramatic social and economic revolution. Detailed plans were created of locomotives, carriages, wagons, stations, bridges, and tunnels to facilitate the manufacturing process and maintenance of the railway network. Miraculously, about one million of these exquisite drawings have survived and are housed at the National Railway Museum, York. In Railways: A History in Drawings, Christopher Valkoinen has selected over 130 examples from the museum’s collection that illustrate the innovative history of Britain’s railway.

Accompanied by lively and insightful commentary, as well as contemporary photographs and posters, featured plans range from Queen Victoria’s royal saloon, Stephenson’s Rocket, and the Flying Scotsman to the boiler for the famous John Bull-the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the United States-and modern experiments with hovertrains. Perfect for train and engineering enthusiasts and anyone interested in British history, this compendium of drawings gives unparalleled insight into all aspects of the design and operation of the British railway system from the early nineteenth century to the 1970s.

300 illustrations

In stock

SKU 2-1158

Description / Railways A History in Drawings

Exquisite drawings of locomotives, carriages, and stations offering unparalleled insight into the history, design and operation of the railway.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first railway was established in Great Britain, contributing to the country’s dramatic social and economic revolution. Detailed plans were created of locomotives, carriages, wagons, stations, bridges, and tunnels to facilitate the manufacturing process and maintenance of the railway network. Miraculously, about one million of these exquisite drawings have survived and are housed at the National Railway Museum, York. In Railways: A History in Drawings, Christopher Valkoinen has selected over 130 examples from the museum’s collection that illustrate the innovative history of Britain’s railway.

Accompanied by lively and insightful commentary, as well as contemporary photographs and posters, featured plans range from Queen Victoria’s royal saloon, Stephenson’s Rocket, and the Flying Scotsman to the boiler for the famous John Bull-the oldest surviving steam locomotive in the United States-and modern experiments with hovertrains. Perfect for train and engineering enthusiasts and anyone interested in British history, this compendium of drawings gives unparalleled insight into all aspects of the design and operation of the British railway system from the early nineteenth century to the 1970s.

300 illustrations

We found other products you might like!

Navigating through the elements of the carousel is possible using the tab key. You can skip the carousel or go straight to carousel navigation using the skip links.
Images of Rail: The Long Island Railroad 1925-1975 Book
$24.99
Magnet 34th Street Herald Square
$5.95
Local Baby Queens Book
$9.95
Set of 6 Red Plastic Multi Level Support Risers
$15.95
The Wheels on the Bus Book
$14.99
Staten Island Railway Wooden Train
$17.95
Grand Central Terminal Beige Blueprint Magnet
$4.00
Wooden Letter U Train
$6.75
NYC Subway Wooden Z Train
$17.95
Lonely Planet Kids How Trains Work Book
$18.99
Frequently bought together
Images of Rail: Eastern Shore Railroad Book
$24.99
Choir at Grand Central Single Holiday Card
$6.00
Wood NameTrains Rainbow Car
$6.75
MetroCard Ornament
$49.95
Expansion Switch and Crossing Track Pack
$32.95
Leather Wallet With Token
As low as $80.00
NYC Stations and Sticker Set Wood Railway
$63.95