The formative years of Britain's railway network produced a host of ideas, activities and characters, quite a few of which now seem not only highly unusual, but sometimes little short of ridiculous. Weird schemes and designs, extravagant behaviour, reckless competition and larger-than-life characters all featured in the genuine struggle of the railway system to evolve. While the dawning of regulation and common sense brought about more uniform and responsible practices, factors like the weather and the innate complexity of railway operation continued to produce a stream of nonstandard incidents and outcomes, from wild storms to unusual equipment. This book, by ex-railwaymen Geoff and Ian Body, captures over 150 entertaining snippets, stories, and strange and unusual facts from an ample supply of railway curiosities.

GEOFF BODY made his start with LNER in 1945, at the age of 16, and left thirty-one years later, having risen to senior officer positions within the railways, Freightliners and Pickfords Tank Haulage. He wrote widely about railways and canals throughout his retirement, including a number of articles and books, counting Railway Oddities and Signal Box Coming up, Sir! among them.