Fifty years ago this year mainline steam in Britain ceased to exist, the last official date being 11 August 1968. The plan by Commemorating the anniversary of the end of steam railway traction in Britain 50 years ago. British Railways at the time was that after this there would be no more steam traction. A special dispensation was given for Britannia Class 4-6-2 number 70013 Oliver Cromwell to travel under its own steam into preservation on the 12th and 13th of that month, but we now know that those plans never made it to fruition, though eventually steam locomotives would return to the main lines on highly popular Specials. This evocative book looks back at those days and years leading up to the end of steam on Britain's railways with many original photographs from the period. AUTHORS: Paul Hurley is a freelance writer who began his career in the Royal Navy then spent 28 years in the British Police, including working undercover on the Regional Crime Squad. He has since written some 26 books and numerous articles. Phil Braithwaite, a long-time railways enthusiast and photographer, served in the Merchant Navy before joining IBM as a computer engineer, then changing career and running safaris in South Africa, where he set up a road and rail steam preservation group. In the UK he now tours a restored 12-ton live steam road roller and has written a number of articles on steam. SELLING POINTS: . Heavily illustrated book featuring mainly original photographs . Covering the engines, the enthusiasts, the sheds, and a plethora of steam all around the UK 90 colour, 150 b/w illustrations