More T-shirts, REVIEW: "The Leader Project- Fiasco or Triumph?"

Right, about time for an update. At the moment I'm working on a special Highland Railway shirt (which has been praised by the Highland Railway Society!) so anybody who's a fan of the Scottish Lines will be very happy.

Now, for the first of my reviews: given that a limited 00 Gauge run of the famous 'Leader' prototype built by Oliver Bulleid for the Southern is to be expected within one or two years, I thought it timely to cover what is undoubtedly one of the best books about this controversial engine. 'The Leader Project: Fiasco or Triumph?' by Kevin Robertson covers every aspect of the engine's life: from the first experiments done on the H1 Atlantic 'Hartland Point' through to the designs life under BR and its highly sketchy decision to scrap it and two partially completed sisters. The author carefully examines the merits and demerits of the project, and comes to an extremely fair conclusion (and one that most steam fans should agree with in light of the evidence).

What is interesting is not only the engine data but also what has until recently been swept under the proverbial carpet- the attitudes of BR to the project, and the mystery behind why 'Leader' seemed to behave better whenever Bulleid was present and why a number of successful runs were ignored. As for the photographs, it is PROFUSELY and superbly illustrated, with photographs that have seen publication. 'Hartland Point', the Leader itself, its operations and its demise all appear, sadly there is no colour but given the time period and the relative secrecy associated with the project this is unsurprising. However, the magnificent painting on the front cover is definately a great shot!

My verdict?

9/10

If my review has interested you, check out the amazon link (avaliable in papaerback or more expensive hardcover- although the painting is bigger on the hardcover:

LEADER: FIASCO OR TRIUMPH?

As a follow up, consider tracking down a book written about of the 'Leader's' little brother, which has been covered much less but in fact seems to have done much better- it was designed by Bulleid after becoming chief of the Irish CIC railway, to burn peat turf, giving rise to its famous 'Turfburner' tag.

This book, 'Bulleid and the Turf Burner' is not as easy to find but is a great tome not just about the 'Irish Leader' but also other Irish experiments in turf-burning locomotives. Although a litle thin for my liking, it is probably the only good book on the subject, so it is also recommended:

8/10 (deducted a point for the length, which is irritating for non-british buyers given how bad the exchange rate is!)

Amazon link (but try ebay and amazon.co.uk as well)

My LNWR' "battle of the CMEs" post has fallen pretty much by the wayside, in the meantime let me try and bring the best to the blog of all the railways' many subjects!