Modelling Aspects of the Coal Industry. Includes detailed picture captions and explanations of what the principal pit structures were and the roles that they played in what used to be one of the country's biggest industries, plus a comprehensive modelling guide complete with 4mm/ft scale drawings.

Historical Railway Modelling. This is not a 'how to' book, though the author uses his own layouts (and those of other selected modellers) to illustrate his take on the subject and to show how basic ideas may be developed to produce prototypically correct models, that lend themselves to prototypical operation.

Railway Operation for the Modeller.  The bulk of the book is devoted to those elements that make the railway work: track formations, signalling practice, traffic, stations, engine sheds, shunting, lamps and signs, and train movement. For steam era enthusiasts and modellers it should be regarded as a must!

Modellers’ Guide to the Great Western Railway. Generously illustrated throughout with models and prototypes, this guide also includes a number of line drawings of typical GWR structures. Originally published in 1990, this revised edition has a slightly dated feel to it, but still has much to commend it.

Railway Stations From the Air. Having a bird’s eye view of your favourite location can be extremely useful for modellers and this book, with its double page spreads, maps and ground level views was obviously published with railway modellers in mind. Locations covered include Kidderminster and Cowes.

London’s Underground. One of those hard to put down books that rewards careful study. There is no shortage of action shots of both steam and electric, as well as views of buildings and line side structures; a selection of track diagrams and drawings is also included. A useful starting point for the ‘underground’ modeller.

An Illustrated History of Southern Coaches. An essential starter for anyone interested in modelling Southern Railway coaching stock and typical of the high standard achieved by books in this OPC series. Well illustrated, the pictures are complemented by a range of excellent 4mm/ft scale drawings.

An Illustrated History of Southern Wagons, Volume Two: LBSCR and minor companies.  Every now and again a book comes along that has ‘for modellers use’ stamped over it and the classic OPC four-book series on Southern wagons was obviously conceived with modellers in mind. As might be expected, it is well illustrated and has 4mm/ft scale drawings of most of the wagons described.

British Railway Goods Wagons in Colour 1960–2003. As the title suggests this book concentrates on the post 1960 period and contains many colour illustrations, on average two to a page. Modestly priced, it is a fascinating read and contains much of specific interest to the modeller.

London & South Western Railway Miscellany. The railway’s day-to-day life is revealed through a series of photographs covering the early days (1838-1880), through the elegance of the Edwardian era (1901-1910) to its eventual absorption into the Southern Railway.

Rail Liveries: Privatisation 1995-2000. Illustrated throughout with excellent colour photographs and supported by an authoritative text this is a useful book for modellers. An interesting appendix section covers experimental and unofficial liveries, and lists colour definitions using standard or manufacturer's paint identification codes.

London, Brighton and South Coast Miscellany. This book offers the Southern enthusiast a fresh and detailed insight into the operation of this largely self-contained railway system. Great use made of archive photographs to illustrate locomotives and structures unique to this pre-grouping railway.

Southern Railway Miscellany. Contains 250, or so, photographs covering both the Southern and BR periods including a number of pre-grouping shots. Captions are factual and well researched, though the book shares the limitations of all miscellany collections.

British Railways Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. As might be expected from the title, the development of the Modernisation Plan diesel multiple units is outlined and illustrated in this Ian Allan title. All of the manufacturers’ types are listed along with original regional allocations and the units later classifications.

British Rail Main Line Diesel Locomotives. Authors Colin J Marsden and Graham B Fenn, have, in this revised edition, brought together facts, pictures and plans for all of the classes of locomotive that have graced BR metals, including more recent classes such as 66 and 67. Of especial value to modellers are the 250 or so drawings in 4mm to 1ft scale.

The Diesel Shunter. Lavishly illustrated with black and white prints and supported by concise captions, this is a book that will appeal to modeller and rail enthusiast alike. Crammed with facts it traces the development of the humble diesel shunter from its early beginnings on the LMS of the 1930s.

British Rail Main Line Electric Locomotives. Exceptionally well illustrated (all in b/w) and containing more than 130 (4mm/foot) scale drawings. The authors provide a description of each class along with a detailed history of modifications, livery variations and technical specifications. Extremely useful book for modellers.

Locomotives in Detail: Gresley 4-6-2 A4 Class.  David Clarke’s excellent treatise has been written with the modeller in mind and provides a fully illustrated, comprehensive history of the class. Split into seven chapters the book deals with Design, Construction, the Running Plate and Cab, Tenders, Liveries and Names, and the operation of the class in service and in preservation.

Industrial Steam in the ‘50s & ‘60s. The majority of the photographs are in classic portrait style, featuring locos at rest rather than straining to move their usually heavy loads, but nonetheless form a valuable record. Modellers with a keen interest in industrial, or narrow gauge, locations will find this book particularly valuable.

Class 50s in Operation. This book chronicles the history of the class from gestation through to withdrawal and contains pictures of each member of the class in various guises. There is an appendix at the rear of the book that gives a history of each member of the class, including its eventual fate

Profile of the Duchesses. First published in 1982 David Jenkinson’s classic book, Profile of the Duchesses, traces the history of the class through black and white photographs and extended captions. This new impression provides a good starting point for those who have come to know the class solely through the exploits of preserved examples of Stanier super power.

Profile of the Westerns. Originally published in 1980, shortly after the withdrawal of the Westerns, this classic pictorial tribute from authors Dave Nicholas and Steve Montgomery features some 160 black and white illustrations . The book records the career of the class from construction at Crewe and Swindon in the early 1960s through to final workings and withdrawal in 1977.

British Railways Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. As might be expected from the title, the development of the Modernisation Plan diesel multiple units is outlined and illustrated in this Ian Allan title. All of the manufacturers’ types are listed along with original regional allocations and the units later classifications.

The Power of the Castles. Richly illustrated, this book will prove a spur to the memories of those who sat watching Castle hauled trains to the West Country or to the Midlands in the 1950s and 60s. Each member is illustrated, though the captions are on occasions lacking in detail.

Rail Liveries: Privatisation 1995-2000. Illustrated throughout with excellent colour photographs and supported by an authoritative text this is a useful book for modellers. An interesting appendix section covers experimental and unofficial liveries, and lists colour definitions using standard or manufacturer's paint identification codes.

Designs for Urban Layouts. Excellent book that provides a convincing argument for modelling the ‘town railway scene’ arts and all. A range of solutions, both large and small are provided with accompanying layout plans and sketch representations. A truly inspiring work!

Mainlines in Modest Spaces. The book is the second in the layout design series by the author and looks at the practicalities of scale and its limitations, the compromises necessary to produce a convincing representation of a main line, and the planning and presentation of the layout. On the whole this is a competent sequel to the author’s similar book on Urban Layouts.

Introducing TRAX: Wiring the Layout. A brave attempt at demystifying the art of wiring up a model railway, but not an ideal starter for those new to the subject. Authoritative text, though not an easy read, makes it better suited to those with an understanding of the subject. Comes with virtual track-building CD ROM.

Signalling in the age of steam. This reprint of the classic Ian Allan abc provides a simply written history of the traditional methods and mechanisms used to control movements on the railway, including block working, interlocking, lever frames and signals. Fully illustrated with photographs and line drawings the book forms an essential guide to this vital aspect of the railway industry.

Constructing and Operating Semaphore Signals.  Aimed at laying the foundations for a correctly signalled model layout, the author takes the reader on a brief tour of how the prototype railway signals trains between signal boxes. Profusely illustrated with photographs and line drawings the book contains signalling layout plans and photographs of prototype and model signals.

Model Railway Detailing Manual. Books that set themselves the task of being ‘source books’ invariably make a rod for their own backs, for it is virtually impossible to produce within the confines of a single volume all that may be required to fulfil that bold definition. This boasts a useful index, a list of references to aid further study, and a list of abbreviations.

Simple Model Railway Layouts. Strictly speaking, having first been published in 1987, it is not a new book, but this 2004 version has been thoroughly revised and re-illustrated and limits itself to presenting ideas for small, fairly simple layouts that are inexpensive to construct and easy to house.

British Railway infrastructure in Colour. Robert Hendry’s book ‘for the modeller and historian’ from Midland Publishing takes a close look at the fixed structures of the railway that are so often taken for granted. The book follows the same pattern as other members of the series and makes extensive use of colour photographs—many from the steam age—and detailed captions.

Railway Stations From the Air. Having a bird’s eye view of your favourite location can be extremely useful for modellers and this book, with its double page spreads, maps and ground level views was obviously published with railway modellers in mind. Locations covered include Kidderminster and Cowes.

London’s Underground. One of those hard to put down books that rewards careful study. There is no shortage of action shots of both steam and electric, as well as views of buildings and line side structures; a selection of track diagrams and drawings is also included. A useful starting point for the ‘underground’ modeller.