The Student's Guide to the Locomotive Engine

The very scarce first English language edition of this detailed guide to the locomotive engine and its construction, illustrated with seventy-two plates. The very scarce first edition of this work. This volume consists principally of an English translation of E. Flachat and J. Petiet's 'Guide du Mecanicien Conducteur de Machines Locomotives', with some additions.Illustrated with seventy-two engraved plates. Collated, complete.This volume is a guide for locomotive drivers and enthusiasts, including practical instructions on handling and driving steam locomotive engines.Included in this volume is a discussion of the component parts of the locomotive engine, and their use. With a French and English vocabulary of technical terms, comparison of French and English measures and weights, and information on railway gradients to the rear.With the bookplate of acknowledged railway enthusiast Sir William McAlpine, 6th Baronet, to the front pastedown. He was President of the Transport Trust, the charity dedicated to the preservation of all modes of transport and its infrastructure. In 1973 he purchased the historic steam train the Flying Scotsman, and ran the service for the British public.Rebound in full calf, with endpapers renewed.With a small paper label adhered to the title page head.Flachat received permission to build the Paris-Rouen railway in 1840, and was engineer-in-chief of the French Western Railway, while Petiet was head of the French Northern Railway, and constructed numerous locomotives. Rebound in full calf, with endpapers renewed. Externally, excellent, with light fading to centre of boards. Front hinge strained, but firmly held. Bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Small paper label and minor loss to title page head. Remnants of adhesive tape to gutter of leaf following title page, which is detached to the tail. Text leaves clean and bright. Light small tide marks to tail of majority of plates, with significant tide marks to tail of plates 46-69. Very Good.…