County Durham possessed the greatest number of industrial railways in the country and the Londonderry Railway, built by the third Marquis of Londonderry between 1828 and 1855, is not only one of the most interesting but also one about which less is known because it did not survive into this century. The line was divided into two sections: the Rainton & Seaham section, worked by ropes and locomotives; and the Seaham & Sunderland section, which operated passenger trains and was sold to the North Eastern Railway in 1900. It is mainly this second section which is covered by George Hardy, who worked on the railway for over 47 years, latterly as Manager. His personal account contains much fascinating interest and adds greatly to our knowledge of the line. However, whilst the photographs are excellent, the book would have benefited from more explanatory maps, without which some place names and inclines will mean little to the average reader. This is further aggravated because some spelling errors have escaped the proof reader. Also, a complete locomotive list, perhaps on Pocket Book lines, is needed. A final chapter reviewing later history to the present day, instead of 1911, would have helped to give a broader view. Regrettably, no mention is made of the origin and present day location of Hardy's notebooks, and so one is left with the feeling that a more interesting and valuable book could have been produced at the same rather expensive price if a little more thought and care had been taken. (CEM)

INDUSTRIAL LOCOMOTIVES OF SOUTH EASTERN FRANCE, compiled by Keith Clingan and edited by Noel Needle. 80 pages, 8¼in x 5⁷/8in, card covers, 21 illustrations (including three line drawings), printed by offset litho from unjustified width typescript. Published by the Industrial Railway Society, 1972. Copies available from Mr A.D. Semmens, 44 Hicks Avenue, GREENFORD, Middlesex. Price 75p post free.

    Basically styled as Pocket Book GA, this publication contains all known details of industrial locomotives of this part of France. Unhappily the majority of the entries in the main text relate to engines long past but the last two sections - listing miniature, preserved and tourist railways - give details of existing steam locomotives. Several entries include brief descriptions of the systems operated and/or the locations served. The quality of the illustrations is very good, being vastly superior to any which have appeared in previous French Pocket Books. The inclusion of line drawings - in this case three of a Fives Lille standard outside cylinder 0‑4‑0 tank - is a feature which we would like to see repeated in all future Pocket Books. (TJL)

INDUSTRIAL STEAM LOCOMOTIVES OF GERMANY AND AUSTRIA, compiled by B. Rumary. 36 pages, 8¼in x 6in, card covers, 16 illustrations. Published by the Industrial Railway Society, March 1973. Copies available from Mr A.D. Semmens, 44 Hicks Avenue, GREENFORD, Middlesex. Price 40p post free.

    This is the second edition of a pocket book which proved so popular that the first edition - reviewed in RECORD 44 - had to be reprinted following a quick sell out. Additional information received as a result of the original publication explains the increase in size from 28 to 36 pages. The reproduction of most of the illustrations is an improvement on the selection which appeared in the first edition. A must for anyone contemplating a railway holiday in Germany or Austria. (TJL)

    'The steam tram engine, built by the Society Metallurgique Beige, is at work daily on the line from the Bois de la Cambre to Schaerbeck [in Belgium].'    ("Iron," 22nd July 1876. - KPP)

    'A new section of the "Tramways Sud" from the Gare Mont Parnasse to the Gare d'Orleans, was opened on the 9th. It is remarkable as being the first tram-line served by steam in the open streets of a crowded city. The locomotives are four in number, built by Merryweather. The total journey takes twenty minutes.'     ("Iron," 19th August 1876. - KPP).