Recommended Reading - Modern Steam Books
This page was started at the suggestion of John G. Johnston III in the USA. It is intended as a guide to some of the better books covering topics relating to modern steam.
Some of the more technical books listed below are quoted as references in the Fundamental Design Calculations for the Class 5AT 4-6-0 finished towards the end of 2004 by David Wardale.
My Suggestions:
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"The Red Devil and Other Tales from the Age of Steam" by David Wardale. THE most important modern steam book and possibly the most important book on the steam locomotive ever written. It is all here for the reading. Want to know what a modern steam loco could be and want to know how to go about it? Well read this book! Published by the author. Third, and final, printing still available in the UK and elsewhere (as of October 2004.) Available from Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"La Locomotive à Vapeur" by André Chapelon. First Edition, 1938. It is known that L.D.Porta felt this edition of 'La Locomotive à Vapeur' was the more important of the two produced. This is because it details the thermodynamics needed to design a steam locomotive properly. Sadly to this day it is only available in French. Out of print, EXTREMELY rare and expensive. Good luck finding a copy. Try here. |
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"La Locomotive à Vapeur" by André Chapelon. Second Edition, 1952. This English language edition of Chapelon's second volume (1952) of 'La Locomotive a Vapeur' may be the less technical of the two volumes but is still crammed with useful information. It also contains a section bringing the steam story up to date with reviews of the work of Ing.L.D.Porta, David Wardale, Phil Girdlestone, Shaun McMahon, Nigel Day & Roger Waller/SLM/DLM. Published by Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Advanced Steam Locomotive Development - Three Technical Papers" by L.D.Porta. The very first book to be published containing technical papers written by the late L.D.Porta. This book contains three papers: Porta's 1969 I.Loco.E. paper 'Steam Locomotive Development in Argentina - Its Contribution to the Future of Railway Technology in the Under-Developed Countries' given in Manchester, UK; his 2000 paper 'Fundamentals of the Porta Compound System for Steam Locomotives' and from 1999 'Some Steam Leakage Tests on Locomotive Nora of the Ferrocarril Austral Fuegino'. Click here for further details. Published by Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Locomotive Cyclopedia" An essential reference - available in many year dated issues the books cover the fundamentals of US steam locomotive practice, good and bad. Mechanically US steam more or less got it "right", these books show you how they did it and is still very relevant to steam today. Relevant issues are out of print but available second hand. Try here. |
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"Steam Locomotive Design: Data & Formulæ" by E.A. Phillipson A excellent reference giving much useful information and formulæ essential for the scientific design of a steam locomotive. Some of the facts are now out of date so this should be read in conjunction with David Wardale's book. Originally published in 1936 this book was reprinted in 2004 by Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Chapelon - Genius of French Steam" by Col. H.C.B. Rogers This book is fantastic. It charts Chapelon's life and achievements in a very readable fashion. Read this book to understand what inspired Porta to do what he did. Now out of print but available second hand. Try here. |
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"André Chapelon 1892-1978 - Le génie français de vapeur" By Col. H.C.B. Rogers This is the same book as above but in a French language edition. Thanks to Manuel Ramos from Spain for drawing my attention to this version of an essential read. Availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Compound Locomotives" by J.T. van Riemsdijk Whilst this book is essentially historical compounding was very much a feature of Porta's work. Read this to get the history and fundamentals of compounding as well as highlighting Chapelon's fantastic locomotives. Now out of print but available second hand. Try here. |
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"Testing Times at Derby - A Privileged View of Steam" By Alan Rimmer An interesting account of a career on British Railways. Much of this was in the Derby scientific testing section working on the last steam locomotives produced for the UK mainlines under BR. Provides an insight into the engineering thinking on the national railways around the time of nationalisation. Available from the publishers Oakwood Press. |
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"World Of South American Steam" By Roy Christian and Ken Mills A ground breaking book on steam in every South American country. It includes several photos of locomotives improved by the work of Porta. Now out of print and EXTREMELY rare. Good luck finding a copy. Try here. |
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"Guide to North American Steam Locomotives" Compiled by George H. Drury Not exactly a "modern steam" book but an excellent guide to US steam. The French railways contributed considerable thermodynamic improvements to the steam locomotive. Meanwhile the railroads and locomotive manufactures of the USA contributed many of the most important mechanical improvements. Whilst not an in depth study of the subject the comprehensive nature of this book make it an essential reference. Published by Kalmbach Books. Available from various sources including the publisher. |
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"Les 141P De valeureuses Mikado" by Bernard Collardey & André Rasserie A French language book on the SNCF 141P 4 cylinder compounds. Whilst based on the PLM 141C the 141P was actually a very good engine thanks to Chapelon's influence. Lots of photos and diagrams to entertain the non-French speaker. Published by La Vie du Rail. Available second hand. Try here. |
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"Les Locomotives à Vapeur Unifiées 241P, 240P, 150P" by Bernard Collardey & André Rasserie A French language book on three of the "standard" postwar classes of the SNCF - the 241P, 240P and 150P. Especially interesting for the coverage of the world record holding 240P type, it's just shame there's not more. Published by La Vie du Rail. Available second hand. Try here. |
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"Les Locomotives à Vapeur Unifiées (2) 232R, S, U, 151TQ, 050TQ et les prototypes" by Bernard Collardey & André Rasserie A French language book on more postwar classes of the SNCF heavily focusing on the 232 types produced under Marc de Caso. Whilst they were not in the same league as the Chapelon machines they had many interesting features. Other classes are also covered as are "les prototypes" which hides the fact 242A1 and 160A1 are featured! Published by La Vie du Rail. Available in the UK from Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Les 141R Ces braves Américaines" by Bernard Collardey & André Rasserie A French language book on the SNCF 141R 2-8-2s built in North America and shipped to France as it was liberated from the Nazis. Mechanically much stronger than the home grown locos being North American the thermodynamic performance, whilst adequate, was not first class. After the end of hostilities Chapelon was given the opportunity to enhance the 141Rs and to good effect. Lots of photos and diagrams to entertain the non-French speaker. Published by La Vie du Rail. Available in the UK from Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"South American Steam" by M.H.J.Finch A photo album from the 1970s covering steam in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Not much in the way of modern steam really but there are some interesting photos and text covering RFIRT. Also pictured are a number of FCGR class 11C 4-8-0 types as modified by Porta and Chapelon. Published by D.Bradford Barton Ltd. Available second hand. Try here. |
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"Twilight of South African Steam" by A.E.Durrant A very good survey of steam towards the end of its use in regular service in South Africa. Includes good coverage of the Wardale 19D 2644 and 26 3450 'Red Devil'. In addition the case for retaining steam is well presented. Published by David & Charles. Now out of print but available second hand. Try here. |
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"World Steam in the Twentieth Century" by E.S.Cox A British view of steam around the world by one of British Railways senior engineers. A good grounding in what occurred but with some notable omissions. Very much of its time. Published by Ian Allan. Now out of print but available second hand. Try here. |
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"The Railways of South America" by D.Trevor Rowe More historical than modern but of course includes a section on RFIRT and some of Porta's other work on the continent including FCAF. Good for background historical information to help set modern steam work in context. Published by Locomotives International. Now out of print, available second hand but rare . Try here. |
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"French Steam" by Yves Broncard and Felix Fenino A black and white photo album of French steam of all sorts. Many photos of Chapelon and Chapelon influenced locomotives. Published by Ian Allan. Out of print and now rare. Occasionally appears second hand. Try here. |
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"Norfolk and Western Class J The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive" by Kenneth L. Miller An excellent book on one of the USA's best 4-8-4s. This book provides more than just a history of the type but also includes a lot of interesting and instructive information on the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Published by Roanoke Chapter. Out of print. Try here. |
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"La machine locomotive" by E.Sauvage & A.Chapelon A French language book on all aspects of the steam locomotive. This could be described as the French equivalent of 'Locomotive Cyclopedia". There are many volumes of this book with, I believe, the 1947 issue being the final and thus most up to date. Now out of print and rare. Try here. Thanks to Peter Robinson in Sydney for the 1947 edition cover illustration (the red one!). |
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"Steam on the SNCF" by Peter F.Winding A photo album covering many aspects of French steam post World War II. Many images of Chapelon and Chapelon influenced machines in every day service. Perhaps the greatest omission, at the author's admission, being the lack of 240P photos, but you can't have everything! Published by D.Bradford Barton Ltd. Available second hand. Try here. |
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"Yorkshire's Last Days of Colliery Steam" by Tom Heavyside A photo album covering the last operations of steam locos within the Yorkshire coalfield. Why is it here? Because there are a very considerable number of photos showing Porta modified Austerity 0-6-0s in operation along with a few other locos fitted with Kylpor exhaust ejectors, that is if you can spot them! Published by Stenlake Publishing Ltd. Available from the publishers. |
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"Famous Last Lines 3" Compiled by George Bambery This excellent photo album appears here as it contains the best photos I have seen to date of RFIRT in steam days. It will show many what they missed by not going there but perhaps will also spur those who missed it first time around to go at some point in the future..... Additionally modified SAR 25NC 3454 and Class 26 3450 are both pictured in the section on the railways around Kimberley. Published by CADECO. Current availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Hunslet Austerity Locomotives Spare Parts List" Not a modern steam book per se but considering the importance of the modified Austerity type in the history of Porta's work this short book is well worth having. It provides an excellent introduction to the Hunslet Austerity type. Published by Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"The Sandstone Steam Railroad - The first ten years" by Dave Richardson & Joanna Molyneux-Killick Essentially this book is an excellent and detailed stock list littered with details of Sandstone's operation and history. One of their locomotives is NGG16a No.155. A brief summary of the modifications and several photographs of No.155 and No.141 on the Alfred County Railway appear. Published by The Sandstone Heritage Trust. Ordering details are here. |
Got a suggestion? A scan of the front cover would be good as an accompaniment. Thanks in advance.
Suggestions Received:
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"The Steam Locomotive - It's Theory, Operation and Economics" by Ralph P. Johnson, Chief Engineer of Baldwin Locomotive Works. Includes a chapter on locomotive testing. First published in 1942 it was republished in 2002. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Available from the publishers. Thanks to Peter Robinson in Sydney for the tip off. |
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"Die Dampflokomotive" German language book on all things in German steam. The German's more or less perfected the structural side of boiler design. So if you are a boiler designer and don't know how they did it you are probably getting it wrong ! Issue shown is the 1998 reprint of the book's second edition from 1965. 1000+ pages ! Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Available from Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Thermodynamique et locomotives à vapeur" by Bernard Escudié & Jean Gréa with contributions from Jean-Marc Combe. French language book giving a solid description of André Chapelon's work. Published in 1989 by the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique of France. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Locomotive Valves and Valve Gears" by J.H. Yoder & G.B.Wharen This book very thoroughly covers most of the valve gears applied to locomotives prior to 1921 (when it was originally published.) No coverage of rotary or oscillating cam gears but in modern steam terms this is not a great omission as Porta type valves have since been used in preference to poppet valves and continue to be so used. Suggested by Chris Newman from Beijing. Published by Camden Miniature Steam Services. |
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"Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive" by J. Parker Lamb A very interesting approach to American steam with special attention given to engineering improvements in US locomotives, in fact is a tale of "the contributions and role of mechanical engineers in the evolution of mechanical design" as Parker Lamb says. One of the better books available at the moment. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. In print as of Jan 2005. Try here. |
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"Dropping the Fire" by Philip Atkins This book charts the decline of the steam engine in front-line service around the world. The photo on the cover would seem to suggest one reason.... It covers the work done (improvements) aimed at making the steam locomotive a more able competitor to diesel and electric traction. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Hudson Power" by R M Carlisle and R L Abbott In the late 1990s West Coast Railways in Victoria, Australia modified 4-6-4 R711 under the direction of Phil Girdlestone. This book pre-dates this work but provides an excellent overview of the R class history. Includes details of the oil and pulverised coal firing experiments. It also underlines some of the problems British industry had when the locos were built! Suggested by Tim Sampson from Australia. Rare, availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Steam on 4 Continents Part 1: Europe + South America" by G.Halsbeck and D.Wardale A photo album including a handful of photos of interest from Argentina showing the RFIRT system and one of Ing. Porta on the Esquel system. Also photos of the Brazilian Doña Teresa Cristina system prior to Porta's work there. Suggested by Shaun McMahon from Argentina. Out of print. Available secondhand. Try here. |
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"Steam on 4 Continents Part 2: Africa" by G.Halsbeck and D.Wardale A photo album including photos of the Wardale rebuilds 19D 2644 and 26 3450. Suggested by Shaun McMahon from Argentina. Out of print. Available secondhand. Try here. |
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"Die Technologie der Ausbesserung der Dampflokomotiven" by W.Weikelt & M.Teufel A good book explaining all methods and technologies for the repair locomotives in RAWs (Reichsbahn Ausbesserungs Werk) - Repair Shops of Reichsbahn. Was published in the DDR. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Can be purchased via www.transpress.de
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"Leitfaden für den Dampflokomotivedienst" by Niederstrasser Similar to the above but oriented more to locomotives in service. Explains the technology, repairs and operation. Aimed at enginemen and workshop staff. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Reprint by Deutsche Gesselschaft für Eisenbahn Geschichte. Availability uncertain. Try here. |
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"Anatomie der Dampflokomotive" by A. Giesl-Gieslingen A long and detailed work describing the steam locomotive with reference to modernisation attempts. Primarily it focuses on Austrian steam and, of course, the Giesl exhaust ejector. Whilst since bettered the device is still worth understanding. Suggested by Manuel Ramos from Spain. Published by Verlag Slezak. Available here. |
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"Steam Locomotive Design and Maintenance for Road and Rail" By David L. Walker An excellent overview of UK practice and a little foreign work. Whilst not "modern steam" per-se without the basics no one would get anywhere! Suggested by V.Vickers from the UK. Published by D. L. Walker. Availability uncertain at this time. |
The following online book searches have been recommended to me by Chris Taylor in the UK. Hope they help you find some of the books above. They might even help me as I certainly don't have all of those listed above.
