More Smoke
Last year, we published “Smoke” a combination of Black and White and colour photos of NSW steam power. The book was a hit, and sold out in months, as have all of our other NSW books.
After “Smoke” sold out, we decided to produce one last NSW steam publication. Titled “More Smoke”, it ranges from the ancient, to latter days of steam in NSW. There are nearly 300 pictures in the 168 pages, featuring the work of master photographers Laurie Anderson and Graham Cotterall, along with the usual suspects and a couple of surprise guests.
There are stores of lineside trainspotting, cab riding, mischievous adventures, and memories of the way it was in steam days, that are sure to revive memories of those times. Photographic Essays of the 1930’s with some very rare loco classes, depot shots from 1960, and a variety of shots not previously published.
The book is currently at the printers, but with all of the craziness going on in the world, we are expecting delivery in late July, 2026. With a reduced print run, we again expect a sell out.
…Introduction
The objects of our fascination, steam locomotives, only came into being in the early 1800s because of industrial progress and commercial imperatives. Handsome or downright quirky though many of them were, they were not primarily created for our visual
pleasure. Most often seen by members of the public while sitting quietly in stations, railway yards and depots or drifting along at low speed in a suburban setting, they didn’t confront our senses and were as meek and mild as diesel and electric traction.
Put our preferred power in front of a challenging load in steep terrain or hitch it to a fast moving express and things changed. Suddenly the docile tons of steel became a shouting, stamping wild thing whose primal forces of water and fire were, in nearly all circumstances, expertly mastered by its driver and fireman. As well as the noise, the visual splendour of smoke thrown to the heavens and the aroma of burnt coal were things to savour. Feel the heat! Sadly this drama was nearly always missed by casual observers….
Overview & Preview
Back in steam days, most of us took black and white photos. In fact some of us never imagined that colour would take over the world, especially as even TV was black and white beyond the end of steam in NSW.
We would decanter film from 50 foot rolls, develop our own film and often prints, in my case in the laundry much to the horror of my Mum. After school hours would be spent with the enlarger producing the best possible print, a far cry from today’s digital photography and Facebook images.
As young boys we couldn’t wait until we got that Kodak Brownie Box camera, which didn’t satisfy very long. The quality of the photos to a large extent depended on the camera equipment we could afford or acquire from relatives. For the most part there was a viewfinder which roughly framed the shot. No inbuilt light meter, auto focus, or instant playback. To take a photo we would determine the point of focus, check the light meter to set the aperture, and then as the train came past often at high speed, Try to click the shutter at the optimal moment.
In our latest and final book you will find an abundance of those black and white masterpieces with many from brilliant photographers. You can revive memories of passing trains on the South and North when steam was plentiful. We have maintained the quality to produce what we believe is something for every railfan’s bookshelf.
Click on the image below to see a sample of “More Smoke”.
Comments from readers of our other publications
Thank you for producing such a superb collection of NSWGR steam. It continues the great standard set by your previous publications. It is a great tribute to all you tireless photographers who painstakingly recorded the scene. Another “treasure” .
Please be encouraged to keep producing if you are able. Just by publishing this material you are sharing unrepeatable scenes,
Thanks John, your fantastic book arrived yesterday, and I am enjoying taking my time going through the various countries. Amazing photography by some of the all time great steam enthusiasts travelling around the World. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to purchase.
Order Yours Now!
Only $80 with a protective cover
$70 pre-order price
Join our mailing list for details of events and future publications