Kevin Robertson

Over the last 50 years, the railways of Hampshire have undergone considerable change. The steam engine is now a thing of the past an ordinary passenger lines and the lines themselves have undergone major reorganisation and rationalization. This collection of photographs provides an interesting pictorial history of the railway network of Hampshire. Kevin Roberston is the author of several railway books and has already written about the branch lines of this county. The additional pictorial material used in this volume will make this book enjoyable for those who knew Hampshire railways in their heyday, for railway enthusiasts and the residents of Hampshire alike.

Brunel's main line from Paddington to Bristol was, and still is, the most important of the Reading railways. For over 125 years steam dominated this great route, its green-liveried engines, adorned with brass and copper trim, each exhibiting the characteristic style that typified the designs of the Great Western Railway. Among the photographers who regularly recorded the railway scene at Reading was Walter Gilbert, whose trademark was quality. Wally, as he liked to be known, took his camera both east and west from Reading. Captured here through the lens of his camera are striking reminders of the years between 1950 and 1963 - so different from the modern experience of high speed trains and turbo units. Taken from the collections of a number of other enthusiasts, Kevin Robertson illustrates locations such as Henley-on-Thames and Didcot and shows locomotives and trains both at work and at rest. This superb collection of photographs will evoke strong memories for many, and prove an important guide to this part of our railway heritage.

The years between 1947 and 1962 witnessed a revolution in rail transport. Locomotives which had been retained for war service were now being retired and replaced by newer designs. Side by side, they presented a unique comparison. Eastleigh was the main steam works and shed for the Southern Railway, and would, over the years, see engines of all types. Some arrived at the nearby shed for service, some for repair and others passed through on their last journey to the scrap yard. One man, Walter Gilburt, recorded these scenes. Part of this collection is used in this book, almost every type of locomotive that visited Eastleigh and images of engines from other regions and private lines nearby. These pictures, supported by informative and detailed text, illustrate not only the trains, locomotives and their sheds, but bring to life a nostalgic record of the Eastleigh railway scene as it was forty years ago - a time when nearly every family worked on, or knew someone associated with, railway life.

Much has been said in recent years about shooting only completely mature, solidly bossed Cape or southern buffalo bulls for trophy purposes. But what does such a bull really look like? Can you tell the difference between a trophy bull and a younger or medium-age bull with soft bosses that still has breeding potential? What are the characteristics of a true trophy bull? The questions most commonly asked on a buffalo safari are a) “What sex is that buffalo?” b) “How old is it?” c) “Where do I shoot it?” and d) “How big is the trophy?”. All the answers are here in this compact, pocket-size book that not only gives you instant comparisons but also shows you precisely where to shoot and what the trophy is like, age- and size-wise. There are probably more African buffaloes hunted today than at any time since WWII, for they are the most accessible and affordable member of the fabled Big Five. Make the most of your hunt and get to know beforehand what a good, mature buffalo looks like, where to shoot it, and how to judge its sex, age, and trophy potential before you follow their tracks and come face to face with a tangle of horns and a press of dark bodies in thick vegetation. That’s when you’ll need to make a quick decision, and this invaluable, fit-in-any-pocket guide will help! Don’t go on safari without one!

Kevin Robertson's follow-up to "Odd Corners of the GWR" brings together a collection of facts and unpublished photographs to throw new light on the history of the Great Western Railway, sometimes referred to as "God's Wonderful Railway".

Previously unpublished facts and photographs are brought together in this volume to throw light on the long history of the Great Western Railway. The subjects covered are as diverse as experimental signal design, station furniture and the petrol railcar, the 1930s camping coach and even the GWR's accident record. The book illustrates the stations and the staff and above all, the locomotives and the rolling stock upon which the high reputation of the company depended.