Steam in the Blood - a Railwayman's Journey 1941-1982

Until his death in 2018 at the age of 94, Richard Hardy was one of the last remaining professional links with the Big Four, and someone who commanded as much respect during the preservation era as he did during his outstanding career with the LNER and British Railways.

He started with the LNER in 1941 as a Premium Appremtice, and 40 years later was a Divisional Manager with British Railways. He became a shedmaster at 22 and was running five major depots before he was 35. He was then responsible for overseeing the change from steam to modern traction on the Stratford district of the Eastern Region. After his retirement he made a major contribition to the operation of main line steam specials acroos the network.

He wrote two biographical books; Steam in the Blood in 1971 and Railways in the Blood', published in 1985. These are combined in this paperback reprint of 396 pages plus 32 pages of B&W photographs.

Very readable and enjoyable, technical in many places and a window into the last years of steam, and the early diesel, and electric years, in particular.