History of the LNER v. 2: The Age Of Steamliners 1934-39 Michael R Bonavia

Last Updated on April 23, 2026

History of the LNER

Michael R Bonavia

2.The Age of the Streamliners, 1934-39

In this, the second volume of his lavishly illustrated three-volume history of the LNER, Michael Bonavia tells the story of that short but exciting period between 1934 and the outbreak of war in 1939 when the LNER fought off the effects of the Great Depression.

Undeterred by inadequate financial resources, the LNER led the way into a new era for passengers with its pioneer HSTs, the streamliners; and it took a leading part in the railways’ crusade to throw off their legal shackles and quote competitive rates to win back freight traffic lost to the roads – the historic ‘Square Deal’ campaign – backing it up with its own faster and better freight services.

This is the inside story of the LNER’s brilliant efforts in this period, written with access to official top management doc-ments.

The ‘Silver Jubilee’ in 1935, followed by the

‘Coronation’ and then by the ‘West Riding Limited’, proclaimed to the world that both the railway and steam could meet the challenge of rival technology. An achievement crowned in 1938 with the capture, at 126 mph, of the world speed record for steam by ‘Mallard’, which thus became the most renowned of Gresley’s A4 Pacifics.

The effect of the glamorous streamliners on the morale of railwaymen and on the public’s attitude to the railways was enormous.

Read this book and savour the excitement and sense of achievement of those great days.

Re-live these feelings in company with the author.

This book was previously for sale at Margot’s Books. The shop is now closed — this post is kept as an archive record only.