At Ash Tree Books, I love when a few titles on the shelf share an unexpected connection.
Today, I wanted to highlight two books that crossed my path recently — each very different, yet both tied to the story of steam, engineering, and rail history.
I also filmed a short video sharing why they stood out to me:
📚 LOCOMOTIVES: Their Construction, Maintenance and Operation
This is the seventh revised edition from 1949, published in two volumes that together weigh about 3 kg.
These weren’t meant for coffee tables: they were practical manuals used by engineers and apprentices — complete with black & white photos, technical diagrams, and even a colour fold‑out (still present, despite a tear).
It also documents a fascinating turning point: the shift from pure steam to electric and internal combustion locomotives, right after WWII.
Because these books lived in workshops and depots, intact sets like this are surprisingly scarce today.
📙 James Watt and the Steam Engine (1927)
Prepared by H.W. Dickinson and Rhys Jenkins for the Watt Centenary Commemoration Committee, this memorial volume looks beyond Watt’s biography to explore how his work shaped the Industrial Revolution.
It was printed mainly for libraries, professional societies, and subscribers — making it harder to find on the collector’s market today.
⚓ A personal note
My own background isn’t in locomotive engineering, but years ago I worked as a deckhand on tugboats that moved rail barges.
Part of my job was securing the rail cars to the deck: heavy, messy work — but it left me with real respect for the weight, balance, and design behind every rail car and engine.
Here’s a photo from those days:
Maybe that’s why books like these resonate with me: they’re reminders of real, practical craft — built to last.
If you’d like to see more collectible titles, explore other blog posts, or check what’s new on the shelves, feel free to browse around the site. At the time of writing, I haven’t yet listed either of these books individually, but I do plan to in the near future — so if either catches your interest before then, you’re very welcome to reach out to me directly!
Thank you for reading! 🌿📚
✨ Ashley
