The gradual growth of the railways in Britain during the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries, in both passenger and freight traffic,
saw the requirement for a more powerful and versatile type of motive
power - mixed traffic locomotives. The construction of Great Western
Halls and Modified Halls gave the Great Western a superb all round
locomotive, and for thirty-six years they operated passenger and freight
services over the Great Western, and later Western Region.
The Hall class were among the largest mixed traffic steam locomotives
that ran throughout this country, and this is the first serious volume
to focus on them in fifty years. The book charts the history of both
classes, from their construction and withdrawal, to their design,
development and eventual scrapping. With over 200 black and white, and
color photographs, accompanied by informative captions, each member of
the classes is excellently illustrated. It will appeal greatly to those
interested in the history of Great Western Locomotive development.