The Fifteen Guinea Special: The End of Steam

The Fifteen Guinea Special was the last steam-hauled British Rail passenger service on August 11, 1968. A day later, the once living and breathing steam locomotives fell silent, some never to run again.

Hardman begins with an in-depth look into the Fifteen Guinea Special with first-hand accounts, and explores how the train has developed to become a cornerstone of British history. Barry Scrapyard, Dai Woodham and the world-famous Flying Scotsman then played a huge part in inspiring the resurrection of steam and the saving hundreds of locomotives from certain demise.

Fifty years on, steam is alive and well and there is a re-kindled flame in the hearts of the British public. We take a step-by-step journey into the twenty-first century following the highs and lows of the business of steam-hauled mainline charters, bringing the story fully up to date.