Lost Leviathans: The Worlds Last Working Steam Locomotives - Hardcover

Colin Garratt

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1900193701 ISBN 13: 9781900193702

Publisher: Milepost Publishing, 2011

Synopsis

In this unique volume, Colin Garratt presents over 300 colour photographs recording the last steam locomotives in action around the world. Over a period of 40 years, he has documented machines in varying states of decline, and of every conceivable shape, size and colour, in more than 40 countries around the globe. Eschewing preserved or tourist railways, the book includes only authentic working locomotives serving their last tours of duty, often set in exotic and memorable surroundings.

About this title

About the Author

Colin Garratt has spent the last forty years as a professional photographer documenting the world's last steam locomotives in every corner of the planet. The steam locomotive was the motive force of the Industrial Revolution, and is thus of tremendous historical importance. It is a beautiful and sensuous creation - almost a living machine - and an outstanding subject for photography. In most parts of the world the steam locomotive was overtaken by electric and diesel traction in the 1950s and 60s, but for several decades the steam locomotive continued to be an important form of railway motive power in many parts of the world. In search of these imperilled survivors, Colin Garratt's odyssey to photograph the world's last steam locomotives before they disappeared for ever has taken him to more than forty countries across every continent, including eight expeditions to India and twenty to China. His outstanding photographs have appeared in more than fifty books, and the Sunday Times has accurately described him as 'the David Attenborough of the steam locomotive'. No preserved or tourist revival scenes appear within this book; the pictures capture the elusive air of the authentic. These are the engines that will fade away into oblivion. As Colin explains in the introduction to this magnificent photographic record, the cultural and artistic value of as complete a record as possible on a subject of such historical significance cannot be overstated; somebody had to do it, and he feels privileged to have had that opportunity.

About this edition

• Publisher: Milepost Publishing
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1900193701
• ISBN 13: 9781900193702
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224