Gresley's B17s

This book examines the B17 steam locomotive class, detailing its history from 1928 to 1960, featuring over 180 images and highlighting its significance in LNER and British steam traction history.

"Gresley's B17s" delves into the history of the B17 steam locomotive passenger class, tracing its journey from its inception in 1928 until its retirement in 1960. Designed by the esteemed Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London & North Eastern Railway, Sir Nigel Gresley, these locomotives were primarily utilized in East Anglia and along former Great Central Railway routes. The book provides an in-depth look at the operational life of the B17s, showcasing the significance of this class in the railway's history.

The publication features over 180 captivating images, both in color and black and white, capturing the B17s in various settings such as Liverpool Street station, Stratford, and many other locations across the UK. The book is thoughtfully organized into three sections, highlighting the B17s during the LNER era, the immediate post-war period with the Thompson renumbering, and their time under British Railways ownership. Each photograph is paired with well-researched captions, offering readers valuable insights into the locomotives' roles and the contexts in which they operated.

As all 73 B17s ultimately met their end in the scrapyard, "Gresley's B17s" serves not only as a tribute to these remarkable machines but also as a reminder of their lasting impact on the history of the LNER and steam traction in Britain. With ongoing efforts to recreate locomotives based on Gresley's designs, this book is a timely reflection on the legacy of the B17 class.