British Rail Fleet Survey

In 1955 the British Transport Commission announced a £1,200m Modernisation Plan which was to change the face of Britain's railways. In the intervening years steam motive power gave way to diesel and electric traction and in a mere 25 years, designers' pipedreams have become reality.

Ian Allan initiate this new series which will examine, part by part, the development of today's British Rail fleet, illustrating and describing the gradual evolution which has produced the latest locomotives and high speed trains.

The first volume analyses the earliest diesel-electric prototypes and pilot scheme designs; from then on each of the new projects and production types will be presented to the reader in chronological order. Eventually, British Rail Fleet Survey will provide a comprehensive pictorial record of the development of today's railways.