Bulleid 0711034396.jpg (14433 bytes)

Man, Myth and Machines

Author: Kevin Robertson

Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, Marketing Department, 4 Watling Drive, Hinkley LE10 3EY. Tel: 01455 233747

ISBN: 978-0711034396

Pages: 160

Illustrations: 169 monochrome photos

Date: May 2010

Cover: hardback with dust cover

Size: 254x202mm portrait

Price: £19.99

Index: excellent

There have been many books written about Oliver Bulleid, possibly because he left this world with unanswered questions about him. As this book shows, he was an unusual man with an extraordinary inquisitive mind. This led him down paths not previously explored in is search for new engineering ideas. As an assistant to Nigel Gresley, he was clearly influenced by him while he was himself an influence on Gresley's designs. There is little doubt that the great man had a lot of respect for Bulleid who worked with him for over 20 years. In 1937 he took the job of CME of the Southern Railway, replacing Maunsell, and immediately set about reforming it for a new era. Rightly or wrongly he will be best remembered for the large number of pacific locomotives he built for the Southern. This is a well written book by an experienced railway researcher and writer.

A Model Railway Express Review