Patrick Ransome-Wallis
Index page

Ransome-Wallis, P., editor
The concise [Illustrated rather than concise in paperback North American version] encyclopaedia of world railway locomotives. London: Hutchinson, 1959. 512 pp. incl. 144 plates (incl. 16 col.) 324 illus., 111 diagrs. Bibliog.
Also reprinted in  Canada in 2001 by Dover [Press] as Illustrated encyclopedia of world railway locomotives without colour illus.  The work is a series of non-alphabetized, signed contributions:
Chapter 1. J.M. Doherty. Diesel railway traction. 25-106
Includes sections on engines, transmission systems (hydraulic, electric and mechanical) and diesel railcars and trains: historical development
Chapter 2. David P. Morgan. Diesel traction in North America. 107-42
Chapter 3. F.J.G. Haut. Electric motive power. 143-238.
Chapter 4. C.R.H. Simpson. The reciprocating steam locomotive. 239-318
Duffy considers to be an excellent survey (see his bibliography)
Part 1. Construction & design - a concise encyclopaedia, pp. 240-309.
Approximately 200 terms are defined. There are many cross references and many diagrams. Some sections are large enough to justify sub-divisions. Terms defined include: Gibson ring, Goodfellow tips, Golwe locomotive. The editors of the inadequately structured Oxford Companion fail to cite this section in their "Traction, steam", but do manage to cite the relevant sections in their "Traction, diesel" and "Traction, Electric".
Part 2. Steam locomotive experiments
including compounding.
Chapter 5. H.M. Le Fleming. Illustrated survey of moderen steam locomotives. 319-85.
Chapter 6. S.O. Ell. The testing of locomotives. 386-410.
Chapter 7. O.S. Nock. The steam locomotive in traffic
Chapter 8. G. Freeman Allan. The organization of a steam motive power depot. 439-60.
Chapter 9. P. Ransome-Wallis. Unconventional forms of motive power. 461-77.
Chapter 10. P. Ransome-Wallis. The gas turbine in railway service. 478-93.
Chapter 11. H.M. Le Fleming. Concise biographies of famous locomotive designers and engineers.494-.

Contributions vary in style and technical depth (S.O. Ell's contribution is at a moderately advanced technical level). A glossary of steam locomotive terminology and an excellent, but not comprehensive bibliography are included. The work filled a very large gap in locomotive literature, but could be improved by the provision of sectional bibliographies, a general index and a more thorough approach to the history of the subject, (although biography is not neglected).

On railways at home an abroad. London: Batchworth, 1951. 300 pp. + pl;ates. 102 illus., maps.
Much of the abroad related to WW2 experiences in the Royal Navy.

Photographs
Baker, Michael H.C. Taking the strain