This book is one of the Pen & Sword Locomotive Portfolio series and
covers the rebuilding by Richard Maunsell of the South Eastern & Chatham
Railway 'D' and 'E' 4-4-0s as 'D1' and 'E1' locomotives with higher
pressure boilers and long-travel valve events following the Churchward
principles. The book also covers the SE&CR 'L' class designed by
Maunsell's predecessor, Harry Wainwright, with modifications made by
Maunsell just before their delivery in 1914. Maunsell then designed a
further 2 cylinder 4-4-0, the 'L1' for the Victoria - Folkestone
80-minute expresses of the mid-1920s and finally the 3-cylinder 'V' (the
'Schools' class), his masterpiece, for express services on all three
constituent parts of the Southern Railway.
Design, construction, operations and performance of these locomotives
are described and profusely illustrated with over 300 black & white and
color photos from their construction right through to their final demise
in 1962, together with an update on the three 'Schools' that have been
preserved and operate on Britain's heritage steam railways.