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A collectable 1945 first edition of O. S. Nock’s first published book, examining the legendary steam locomotive designs of Sir Nigel Gresley. Illustrated with historical railway photographs and technical drawings, and featuring an apparent author signature and dedication dated 1972. Original green cloth hardcover, no dust jacket, with one page removed and noticeable spine fading.
1 in stock
The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley by O. S. Nock is a fascinating and historically important study of British steam locomotive engineering, first published in 1945. This first edition is particularly noteworthy as the first book written by Oswald Stevens Nock, who would become one of Britain’s most respected and prolific railway historians.
The book explores the remarkable engineering achievements of Sir Nigel Gresley, celebrated Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), whose locomotive designs helped define the golden age of British steam railways.
Drawing upon articles originally published in The Railway Magazine during the Second World War, Nock presents a detailed account of  Sir Nigel Gresley’s locomotive developments, beginning with his work for the Great Northern Railway and continuing through the evolution of the LNER’s powerful express passenger engines.
Among the locomotives discussed are the celebrated A1 Pacifics, subsequent developments in express passenger locomotive engineering, and the iconic streamlined A4 locomotives associated with Britain’s railway speed records.
The Locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley includes a foreword by O. V. Bulleid, another distinguished British locomotive engineer who served as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway.
Adding considerable historical and collectable interest, this particular copy bears a handwritten inscription and what appears to be O. S. Nock’s signature on the title page, dated 1972. Although the signature has not been independently authenticated, it presents an interesting opportunity for collectors of signed railway literature.
Condition – Good
1945 first edition hardcover bound in original green cloth. The boards display general age-related shelf wear, with pronounced fading and brown discolouration along the spine. Spine lettering is considerably faded, with wear to the board edges and corners. Internally, the pages show some age-related discolouration and occasional spotting. One page has been torn out near the beginning of the book, with remnants visible along the inner margin. The contents of the missing page have not been established. The title page bears a handwritten dedication, apparently signed by O. S. Nock and dated 1972. The signature has not been independently authenticated.
