Remembering Steam . The end of British Rail Steam in Photographs by Paul Hurley and Phil Braithwaite

Last Updated on April 23, 2026

FIFTY years ago, main line steam in Britain ceased to exist, the last official date being

11 August 1968. At the time, British Railways’ plan was that after this there would be no more steam traction – although a special dispensation was given for Britannia Class 4-6-2 No.

70013 Oliver Cromwell to travel under its own steam into preservation on the 12th and 13th of that month. We now know that this was not quite the case, and that steam locomotives would eventually return to the main lines on highly popular “specials.

With over 200 never-before-seen photographs, paired with fond and often amusing captions, Remembering Steam takes a look back at the days and years that led up to the end of steam on Britain’s railways.

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