As we come closer to delivery, we thought you might like to get a better idea of waht is in “Smoke”. The proof copy has arrived, and we are making final tweeks before hitting the “go” button with the printers.

The book is 168 pages, including a 32 page colour section and over 270 brilliant photos, spanning from the 1930’s to the end of steam.

Each chapter features a story related to that year, plus many photos from around the state taken at that time. It makes for an interesting mix.

Except for the first chapter, all the rest are written by people who were around at the time, although in the “Living With Steam” chapter they were very young when their father dragged them around while getting the shots.

With ample illustrations in the from of our legendary quality photographs, we make our way through the years, with a wide variety of scenes and trains – enough to satisfy the most critical of readers. Everything has been checked and rechecked to ensure utmost quality and correct information.

3535 hurries train No. 21, ‘The Caves Express’, up the lower Blue Mountains just after crossing Knapsack Gully viaduct on a Saturday morning in 1934. Lapstone Hill forms the background. Stan Foulkes

“A Northern Adventure”, for instance retells Laurie Anderson’s visit to the Hunter Valley Coalfields in 1967, when the J & A Brown line went as far as Pellaw Main, a short walk from Weston on the South Maitland Railways. There was an incredible amount of steam activity back then with Broadmeadow yard chock full of wagons.

This photo and the one on page 26 prove that Tumulla’s long 1 in 40 grade challenged engines big and small, often to excellent visual effect. 6014’s syncopated roar dominates the steady exhaust rhythm of banker 3665 as No. 89 goods ascends the topography. GRAHAM COTTERALL

“A Splash of Colour” contains our colour section from the 1950’s right up to the end of steam. These come from our entire group of intrepid photographers.

Several carloads of enthusiasts had heard that 5165 would be working its way from Broadmeadow to Werris Creek on 253 goods, a rare event by the end of 1968. Their reward for a long drive was a number of late afternoon photos in lovely mountain country, among which this shot between Murrurundi and Ardglen is definitely a stand out.

STEPHEN BUCK, 21 DECEMBER 1968

The 1968 chapter focuses on visits to Richmond and Campbelltown, something many of us did during school years. An afternoon trip on The Moss Vale train or catching the Southern Highlands from Campbelltown were a common journey.

It could be all hands to the pumps after the morning peak, when carriage sets were hustling in and out of Central’s ‘steam platforms’. A 32 class bumps into 3112 and small tendered 2-8-0 5263.

JOHN GAYDON

For young steam fans, Hawkmount was the mecca of steam, with frequent movements and great photographic locations. Experiencing the ground shaking of a double header with a heavy freight slipping and sliding its way up the mountain, or watching the Flyer rapidly decelerate as it hit the steepest part of the grade was one of the greatest thrills for many of us.

3820 and 6023 are slogging it out at the entrance to Hawkmount’s big cutting and No. 631 coal train is not climbing the 1 in 44 grade quietly. MALCOLM HOLDSWORTH, 28 NOVEMBER 1970

As many of us were born in the early 1950’s, eventually, after what seemed an unreasonable wait, we graduated from school to work and gained drivers licenses and cars. That created its own set of adventures.

Here we see two of the non-power reversed 36 class that were returned to service during ‘the year of the Pigs’ and the classic machines that were used to chase them. 3645 and 3647 wheel No. 370 goods up to the Hume Highway underpass at Yerrinbool beneath dramatic skies. LAURIE ANDERSON, 14 JUNE 1968

The final chapter details a visit to South West NSW, where there were still remnants of what was once the great NSWGR. Considerable effort was required to reach these last outposts, and many neglected the shunters that operated in regional areas.

Many of these lines were magnificent examples of railway construction, and most no longer carry trains.

5367 ‘Rosie’ shunts at Parkes She is now preserved at Cowra, and is the only hope of a return to steam for a standard goods engine. – Ian Gray

So there you have it. A huge number of photos, interesting stories to jog the memory, all presented in a large format hard covered book, lovingly put together by a group renowned for the quality of their productions.

Preorder is available until June 30 or sold out.