RAILWAY RACE TO THE NORTH by O S Nock . Ian Allan. 1st Edition .Paper back.

RAILWAY RACE TO THE NORTH by O S Nock . Ian Allan. 1st Edition .Paper back..

Extract from introduction:

WHEN Mr Ian Allan and his co-director Mr G. Freeman Allen first put to me the idea of a book about the Race to the North the prospect, though exciting in itself, seemed rather bleak when it came to practical possibilities. What was there new to be written about it? At best could one hope for more than a modern re-hash of "Kinnaber', with a reappraisal of the locomotive work involved? However, a little canvassing among friends in the railway service brought some heartening results; the editors of The Railway Gazette, The Railway Magazine, and the British Railways Magazine kindly published letters from me asking for information, anecdotes, and reminiscences, and although in volume the result was, perhaps, less than I had hoped, some of the material that did come to light was of first-class importance. In this I am indebted above all others to Mr E. G. Marsden and Mr R. F. Harvey, for the information they put at my disposal.

The correspondence and telegrams

between the East Coast General Managers during the critical weeks of July and August 1895, which I have been able to include in Chapters VIII, IX and X, throw a vivid light upon the attitude and policy of what may be called the unwilling participants in the struggle. Unfortunately nothing of a similar kind has been preserved on the West Coast side, though the policy of Euston and Buchanan Street from July 15th onwards now seems clear enough.

Among others who have helped me with information I should like to mention particularly Mr C. J. Alcock, who has not only written me many letters on the subject, but has met me and told in his inimitable way of the sights he saw at Euston in those exciting days. Then there is also Mr George Perry, who has passed on to me his personal memories of one of the leading drivers who took part, and I am no less indebted to Locomotive Inspector Bob Steadman, of Gateshead, for much interesting information from the North Eastern side.

From such reminiscences, from letters, from newspaper comment, and from the occasional touches of local colour in the factual writing of such enthusiasts as Rous-Marten, the Rev. W. J. Scott, and Norman D. Macdonald I have been able