'CHARD Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 Been browsing again tonight....what absolute gems! I'm away on business so saving these masterpieces until the weekend - it's my birthday on Sunday, so the question is, can I hold out! Last night though I had a copy* delivered in person by a bona fide MNA member - we discussed his trips over the Waverley Route at some length - I was an embarrassing fanboy for sure! * I don't recall ordering two copies as it happens, but it's far from impossible Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Jamieson Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 A large, heavy box was delivered this morning but I don't intend opening it until Christmas Day - that will take some self-restraint! Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 A large, heavy box was delivered this morning but I don't intend opening it until Christmas Day - that will take some self-restraint! Bill From what I've been told, Bill, you will most definitely not be disappointed. My informant/ insider reckoned they had to do special justice to the WR because it was simply the ultimate railway for capturing steam at its most graphic and photogenic. And I'm certain the Peak main line and S&C will remain on terms... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted December 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 13, 2018 I collected a heavy box from the local post office today. Inside was a very well packed four volume book set in a slip cover. I have browsed volume 1 and it is simply wonderful. Definitely a superb set of books. Cheers Darius 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bon Accord Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 Also received mine today. As a word of note, the limited edition certificate wasn't in the package containing the box/books but separate in the delivery box and I nearly threw it out with the packaging. Only had a quick skim through one of the volumes, but looking at the quality of the work so far I may well be some time (with apologies to Capt Oates). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Darius43 Posted December 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 13, 2018 I collected a heavy box from the local post office today. Inside was a very well packed four volume book set in a slip cover. I have browsed volume 1 and it is simply wonderful. Definitely a superb set of books. Cheers Darius ...and a belated “thank-you” to Phil Bullock for starting this thread, without which I might never have been aware of these books and the Master Neverers. Cheers Darius Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonafide Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 A week on from taking delivery, I am still coming to terms with this publication. I always thought it would be good, and my high expectation has been exceeded beyond that which I thought possible. It has taken a week to read most of the first of the four volumes, and what a journey it has been! It would be easy to comment on the splendid images and the exquisite reproduction, but this work is so much more. The time and effort expended must have been enormous, and this extends to the composition that has been so well thought through. The care that has been lavished is impressive, and the publication team should be extremely proud with the result. The sub-chapters that comprise a main chapter display a refreshing approach resulting in a good format. And the physical aspect of the format is also good, at 11" x 11". The text, written by different members of the MNA, is apposite, entertaining and informative. The captions are imaginatively written giving additional pertinent information, and free from the tired format so prevalent these days. I could go on, but will conclude by saying this is a magnificent celebration of the final years of BR steam and a fine tribute to the staff of BR and the MNA who ensured it ended in style. I am sure the remaining three volumes will be enjoyable to read, and look forward to looking at them again in the years to come. This publication is exceptionally good value for money, and at the pre-publication offer price represents a true bargain. Finally, I thank the members of the MNA for having the foresight to produce this publication. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 Mine arrived today and Ive had a quick look through and even with such a cursory view I can confidently say these are the finest books in my railway library, quite simply wonderful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted December 17, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) ...and a belated “thank-you” to Phil Bullock for starting this thread, without which I might never have been aware of these books and the Master Neverers. Cheers Darius Welcome Darius. Knowing something of the involvement of the gentlemen concerned with early days of preserved railways I was prepared to pin my colours to the mast early on with this project. My faith has more than been repaid! Now about that Class 120 in your avatar.... Phil Edited December 17, 2018 by Phil Bullock 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold scottystitch Posted December 21, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 21, 2018 (edited) Yes thanks Phil, I'm in the same boat. I got my set today (for the record if anyone is counting, I applied by post and my copy is no 956. An incredible body of work. My only criticism is that some of the images, and their captions, are spread across two pages, and with quite a tight bind, it is to the detriment of the photos. It's also hard to read the text in some cases. That said, thankfully there aren't too many instances where this happens, and it's therefore not a reason to not buy the books. Volume two, particular, is of interest to me with a wealth of Glasgow-Aberdeen trains documented. Edited December 21, 2018 by scottystitch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted December 25, 2018 Share Posted December 25, 2018 Oh dear! An enormous amount of work had gone into this set of books. The pictures and text are great. Sadly, my enjoyment has been ruined by the brownish/sepia tinge to the b/w shots. No real black, and some variability. I do hope David P and Colin G solve this problem before Colin Gifford's book is published. They, and I, would be heartbroken if they had the MNA result - please see the the Transitions thread for a technical discussion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgood Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 Just think of it as brake dust....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Jamieson Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 (edited) Oh dear! An enormous amount of work had gone into this set of books. The pictures and text are great. Sadly, my enjoyment has been ruined by the brownish/sepia tinge to the b/w shots. No real black, and some variability. I do hope David P and Colin G solve this problem before Colin Gifford's book is published. They, and I, would be heartbroken if they had the MNA result - please see the the Transitions thread for a technical discussion. I opened my set yesterday, albeit I have not looked at the books in any great depth yet. Initial impressions? - the content doesn't disappoint, in fact much of it is superb, with a good balance of text and pictures. But it is rather obvious that all of the set has been printed using a four colour process, hence the brownish tinge mentioned above. That said, viewing the books under daylight or daylight balanced artificial light minimises the effect and I'm loathe to make too much of it given what good value for money the set of books represents, particularly at the early special offer rate. Bill Edited December 26, 2018 by Bill Jamieson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilks Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 Brilliant set of books. Only 2/3rds through volume 1. Love the photos of the Waverley Route - the lighting was just different from elsewhere to produce dramatic shots. The short story on cab ride on City of Coventry at speed adds that human element to the books. Roll on vol2,3 and 4. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterfgf Posted December 26, 2018 Share Posted December 26, 2018 Four superb volumes: great photographs, well reproduced on good quality paper. I knew I'd made the right decision (on buying from an unknown publisher) when I unpacked the set: a box within a box and corner padding. They are one of my better buys - I'm looking forward to slowly looking through the volumes whilst sipping some of the Scottish amber nectar. Well done. Peterfgf 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephenwolsten Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 I opened my set yesterday, albeit I have not looked at the books in any great depth yet. Initial impressions? - the content doesn't disappoint, in fact much of it is superb, with a good balance of text and pictures. But it is rather obvious that all of the set has been printed using a four colour process, hence the brownish tinge mentioned above. That said, viewing the books under daylight or daylight balanced artificial light minimises the effect and I'm loathe to make too much of it given what good value for money the set of books represents, particularly at the early special offer rate. Bill Thanks for the tip about daylight viewing. It helps a bit but shouldn't really be necessary. Odd that b/w printing has gone backwards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell Saxton Posted December 27, 2018 Share Posted December 27, 2018 Got mine, number 273 out of I assume 1,000?If you are wavering-don't. It is truly superb and more than worth the price. Not noticed any sepia as mentioned, my copies are perfect.One of the best, if not THE best set of rail books I have ever seen.Almost all the shots are unpublished and the quality is excellent throughout. A bloody good read. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Jamieson Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) Thanks for the tip about daylight viewing. It helps a bit but shouldn't really be necessary. Odd that b/w printing has gone backwards. What seems to have gone backwards is the normal offering from printers - I presume it's far easier to print everything using four colours, no doubt because colour output is now the norm. Duotone printing using two plates, black and a spot grey, should give excellent black and white, but this can only be proofed using wet proofing (i.e. using the same press and materials as the print run will be carried out on), which seems to be expensive. On the other hand, only two plates are required per sheet so that must save cost, but I have no idea how it balances out - that said, David Postle seems to be taking the duotone route (or possibly tritone using three plates) with 'Transition' so it can't be prohibitively expensive. There have been some excellent duotone printed railway books in recent years, but these are almost exclusively from the U.S. - the O. Winston Link book 'Life on the Line' and Victor Hand's 'A Steam Odyssey' (the latter has a reasonable number of UK images by the way) are two examples, and I've just come across a relatively new book called 'Essential Witness' featuring the work of another U.S. photographer, Jim Shaughnessy, which is specified as being duotone printed (I haven't actually seen it yet but it is listed on both the Ian Allan and W H Smith websites and I would be interested to hear from anyone who has acquired it ). The RRP is £48, by the way, but this will include the normal book industry mark-ups, which may not apply with 'Never Again'. On a more positive note, there are loads of stunning images in 'Never Again', too many to list, but could I just mention page 199 of Volume One, a Ken Hale shot of two unrebuilt Bulleid Pacifics emerging from Devonshire Tunnel (Bath) into Lyncombe Vale. This must rate as one of the best S&DJR shots ever taken (and I have most, if not all, of the Ivo Peters albums). Bill Edited December 28, 2018 by Bill Jamieson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Jonhayes Posted December 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2018 Got mine, number 273 out of I assume 1,000? If you are wavering-don't. It is truly superb and more than worth the price. Not noticed any sepia as mentioned, my copies are perfect. One of the best, if not THE best set of rail books I have ever seen. Almost all the shots are unpublished and the quality is excellent throughout. A bloody good read. Ditto. Just started volume 2. I have to sit at a table to read them though! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 Superb books with a lot of humour in the text - where those young lads daft or what ?? - still without the likes of the Neverers (and others) we would be much poorer in the last days of steam photographic department. I'm halfway through Volume three - with occasional bursts of laughter - wife & kids saying "what's so funny about a train picture book" !!!!! Train picture book !!!!!! - If only my kids could ever experience as I did, the last days of steam here in the North West back in 66/7/8. This really is a "desert island disc" set of books !! Brit15 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell Saxton Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 Apparently now sold out. A few individual copies left of parts 1, 2 and 4-pity as part 3 is possibly the best-but they are considering a reprint. if you missed out I'd get in contact and order it as it's a total masterpiece, the photography is fantastic and the tales hilarious and well detailed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Jamieson Posted January 22, 2019 Share Posted January 22, 2019 Apparently now sold out. A few individual copies left of parts 1, 2 and 4-pity as part 3 is possibly the best-but they are considering a reprint. if you missed out I'd get in contact and order it as it's a total masterpiece, the photography is fantastic and the tales hilarious and well detailed. I would agree with your assessment that volume 3 is the best - judged purely on the quality of the photography and not being influenced by favourite lines, loco types etc. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 24, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2019 Only realised a couple of days ago I had not had time to delve in to volume 3. As others have intimidated I think I saved the best till last. Jubilees always were a favourite but now even more so..... Phil 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Only realised a couple of days ago I had not had time to delve in to volume 3. As others have intimidated I think I saved the best till last. Jubilees always were a favourite but now even more so..... Phil Don't be, think of us as friends here.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 24, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 24, 2019 Don't be, think of us as friends here.... Darn spill chucker - no worries , certainly do! Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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