Portrait of the LMS

Portrait of the LMS is a richly detailed historical study of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), produced by V. R. Anderson, R. J. Essay, and D. Jenkinson, and published in 1971 by Peco Publications. Spanning approximately 160 pages, the book offers an illustrated narrative of one of Britain’s most iconic railway companies, covering its formation, operations, engineering achievements and its place in the golden era of steam and early diesel traction.

The authors combine archival research, first-hand accounts and technical data to tell the story of the LMS: its origins in the 1923 Grouping of railway companies, its rolling stock (locomotives, carriages), workshops and engineering practices, and its role in national transport. The volume includes numerous photographs, line drawings, route maps and technical diagrams, which help bring to life the major locomotive classes, freight and passenger services, and the regional character of LMS operations. Through this visual and documentary richness, readers gain insight into how the LMS influenced social mobility, industrial growth and regional connectivity.

For railway historians, model train enthusiasts, and classic-rail aficionados, Portrait of the LMS remains a treasured resource. Its combination of historical narrative, technical detail and visual documentation makes it both an authoritative reference and a nostalgic tribute to one of the most important railway companies in British transport history.