Rediscovering British Traction

Nick Sanderson’s interest in the railway, first sparked during his teenage years as a train enthusiast, was revived during the Covid-19 pandemic. Armed with a new digital camera, he began by photographing local freight around the Leeds area before travelling to well-known freight hot spots such as Barnetby and Acton Bridge.

This book presents a striking photographic record of British traction across a wide range of locations in England and Wales. Featuring locomotives in numerous liveries – from the dependable Class 08 shunter and classic Class 37s and 47s to modern traction such as the Class 68s and 88s – it showcases the rich variety that continues to operate on the network today.

The images collected here offer both an engaging snapshot of current railway operations and a concise visual account of the author’s rediscovery of British traction.