Colonel Stephens Light Railway Locomotives (Hardback)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
Series: Locomotive Portfolios
Pages: 176
Illustrations: 250 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781399023436
Published: 12th September 2023
(click here for international delivery rates)
Order within the next 3 hours, 39 minutes to get your order processed the next working day!
Need a currency converter? Check XE.com for live rates
Holman Fred Stephens (1868-1931) set himself up in the 1890s as an engineer and manager of the complete light railway as evolved by Victorian theorists to serve rural districts as yet bereft of the benefit of cheaper transport. To them, a light railway was not an assemblage of second-hand mainline equipment of dubious merit but of fit for purpose, new material. This ideal theory did not survive the near universal inability to raise sufficient capital to build and equip a light railway that would give a reasonable profit. Recourse was therefore made to the second-hand market.
Stephens became a master at the art of building and running railways with the minimum of capital. The history of the mechanical performance of his railways was also nearly always handicapped with inadequate engineering facilities. This left staff struggling, often surprisingly successfully, with a menagerie of locomotive types.
Limited standardisation was practised but most often expediency ruled. This gave rise to a glorious kaleidoscope of locomotives the history of each of which is outlined This variety was further coloured by Stephens generally regarding a locomotive name as far more important than its number.
"This will become an instant hit with all lovers of branch lines and ALR members, it sets about detailing the vast variety of locomotives that ran across the various railways that Colonel Stephens was involved with."
Ashover Light Railway members journal no67
As featured by
Branch Line News
As featured in
National Railway Museum Review – The Journal of the Friends of the National Railway Museum – No186, Winter 2023/24
EDITORS CHOICE!
Heritage Railway Magazine - Issue 315
"With interest in Stephens' lines still on the increase, this book will enthral both new and more established enthusiasts while also adding something extra to those who feel they may already have a wealth of knowledge on the King of Light Railways and his locomotives."
"This is an excellent volume from the publisher describing this menagerie of engines, some having an extraordinary existence throughout their service lives, and some of which are still extant."
The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society - The Railway Observer, January 2024, Volume 94, Number 1139
"He (the author) is curator of the Colonel Stephens Museum and has written a first-class account of the locomotives of the Colonel's eccentric empire, recommended to all enthusiasts for the odd and obscure in British Railways."
Model Engineer, 29 December 2023 - 11 January 2024
"This book will become an instant hit with all lovers of light railways, and EKR members will really enjoy the coverage of EKR Locos."
EKR News
Another superb book from Brian James using his depth of knowledge of all things Colonel Stephens while also being able to delve into the Colonel Stephens Museum archives where many of the numerous photos are sourced and used in addition to some detailed information.
Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway Group Newsletter - Issue 67, December 2023
This will become an instant hit will all Colonel Stephens enthusiasts...
"This account of the extensive range of locos employed on the various railways will be to the liking of the general enthusiast, but should also appeal to those whose primary interest in heritage railways is the driving and maintenance of steam locomotives. There are hours of fascinating and quite diverting reading in this book and it is thoroughly recommended."
Tenterden Terrier (Col. Stephens Railway Museum)
"This is a superb book which will enthral both established and new enthusiasts of the Colonel's railways, adding yet more to our knowledge about this light railway empire. I am sure it will find a place on most members' bookshelves..."
The Colonel - No153
REVIEW OF THE MONTH
Steam World - December 2023
"The author, curator of the Colonel Stephens Museum at Tenterden, is be congratulated on such an immensely-detailed and well-written book. He has brought together a diverse collection of individual locomotive histories, with access to a rich archive of surviving information and his specialist knowledge of where to obtain precious photographs. We have waited for a book of this quality for a very long time..."
"Another superb book from Brian James using his depth of knowledge of all things 'Colonel Stephens', whilst delving into the Colonel Stephens Museum archives...This book will become an instant hit with all Colonel Stephens enthusiasts."
Snowdon Ranger - No.22
"...the book is handsomely presented with decent-sized and well-reproduced illustrations, many new to your reviewer."
Tramway Review - December 2023
"...this book does succeed in its objective of being a comprehensive account of the locomotives selected, both steam and petrol, and the text is supported by numerous B&W photos which adequately portray the character of the Colonel Stephens empire."
Industrial Railway Society Bulletin 1117, November 2023
"This is a book that will act as inspiration for anyone seeking ideas for their next new build project."
Engineering in Miniature - November 2023
This is a fine book for not only anyone interested in Col.Stephens and his locomotives but also railway enthusiasts in general. As Curator of the Col.Stephens Museum at Tenterden and a leading member of the preserved Kent & East Sussex Railway, Brian Janes is well able and the right person to pass on a comprehensive record of this somewhat odd group of locomotives which Col. Stephens assembled for his rather quaint group of light railways. A most interesting and highly recommended book and a fine addition to the Pen & Sword Locomotive Portfolios.
Branch Line and Light Railway Publications
As featured in
The Pheonix/RVR
As featured in
The Colonel Stephens Society Journal - No 151, Summer 2023
About Brian Janes
Brian Janes is the Curator of the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum at Tenterden with which he has been closely associated for over twenty years. A Kent born resident he has family associations with Stephens’ Kent & East Sussex Railway and served as a director of that railway for many years after he retired as a Whitehall Civil Servant. He is a leading historian of Colonel Stephens nationwide collection of railways.
Pen and Sword Books
About Us | Contact Us | Delivery Information | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Affiliates | Terms and Conditions | Backlist | Mailing List | Reward Scheme | Review Request
© Pen and Sword Books Limited 2025. Registered in England No. 2527258.
Registered Office: 47 Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2AS.