The Fifteen Guinea Special: The End of Steam and the Story of Preservation on the Mainline

The Fifteen Guinea Special was the last steam-hauled British Rail passenger service on 11 August 1968. A day later, the once living and breathing steam locomotives fell silent, some never to run again. Ian Hardman begins with an in-depth look into the Fifteen Guinea Special with first-hand accounts and explores how the train has developed to become a cornerstone of British history. Barry Scrapyard, Dai Woodham and the world-famous Flying Scotsman then played a huge part in inspiring the resurrection of steam and the saving of hundreds of locomotives from certain demise. Fifty years on, steam is alive and well and has re-kindled a flame in the hearts of the British public. This book takes a step-by-step journey into the twenty-first century following the highs and lows of the business of steam-hauled mainline charters, bringing the story fully up to date.

Ian Hardman is an avid railway and aviation photographer with a passion for transport and engineering. Ian is a fireman at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and has a deep-set interest in the history of rail and air travel across Britain. He is an engineer by trade and enjoys getting an insight into the workings of systems and mechanisms.