Spotters Pocket Books

Platform 5 and NREA detailed spotters books are an excellent source of information about current British locomotives and coaching stock.

A revised and updated edition of the complete Platform 5 guide to all former main line steam, diesel and electric locomotives and multiple units that are still in existence. Preserved Locomotives of British Railways contains a complete list of all such locomotives formerly owned by British Railways, its constituent companies and its successors. It Includes numbers, names, home location and builder details for every locomotive and multiple unit plus technical data for every class.
176 pages. Over 90 colour illustrations

£21.95
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(Product Ref 118126)
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New 5th edition published 2021
Diesel and Electric Loco Register contains a complete list of all diesel and electric locomotives operated by British Railways, its' constituents and successors, that have been capable of working on the main line railway network, including shunters and departmental locomotives.

£24.95
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(Product Ref 87295)
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This completely new book from Platform 5 Publishing is the complete guide to all narrow gauge steam locomotives known to exist in Great Britain and Ireland of track gauges 1ft 6in to 4ft 6in. It fills a gap between 'Preserved Locomotives of British Railways' which contains details of standard gauge locomotives, and the Miniature Railways book which predominantly covers circular model engineers and park trains (note, the 15in Romney and Ravenglass lines are in the miniature railways book).

Locomotives are listed by builder so that it can be easily seen how many of each type or builder are in existence. For every locomotive details of builder’s number, year of manufacture, type, class, gauge, current location and running number/name are provided. Detailed footnotes provide further information about each locomotive’s origin and history.

The information contained has been collated over many years of personal observation and correspondence since the mid-1960s. Also includes 64 colour illustrations, a locomotive names index and a full list of heritage railways, museums and collections where locomotives can be observed.
80 pages.

£14.95
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(Product Ref 62524)
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Guide to all locomotives registered with Network Rail to work over Britains' national railway network and Eurotunnel as at Autumn 2023. Contains a complete list of all locomotives in service with the following details provided for every locomotive:
  • Owner
  • Operator
  • Livery
  • Depot Allocation
  • Names

The book also includes technical data for every class of locomotive and an overview of the structure of Britain's railways today, including details of all franchised passenger train operators, open-access operators and freight train operators.

£7.50

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(Product Ref 123717)
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Platform 5 Publishing British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock Combined Volume is the definitive guide to all locomotives, coaching stock and multiple units that run on Britain’s main line railways. It contains complete fleet lists of every item of rolling stock with owner, operator, livery and depot allocation information for every vehicle in service.

This essential reference book is fully updated to early 2024 and includes details of all new rolling stock on order for delivery in 2024

£29.95

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(Product Ref 125375)
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A complete list of all locomotive hauled and HST coaching stock, including departmental coaching stock, registered with Network Rail for service on the national network in autumn 2023 with the following details provided for every coach:
  • Owner
  • Operator
  • Livery
  • Depot Allocation

The book also includes technical data for every class of coach and an overview of the structure of Britain's railways today. Further details of coaching stock formations, Network Rail service stock and coaching stock awaiting disposal are also provided.

£7.50

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(Product Ref 123718)
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A complete listing of diesel-powered multiple unit trains and cars formations registered to operate over Network Rail in autumn 2023, including on-track machines and MPV units, with the following details provided for every unit:

  • Owner
  • Operator
  • Livery
  • Depot Allocation

The book also includes technical data for every class of DMU and an overview of the structure of Britain's railways today. Further details of on-track machines used to maintain Britain's railways, plus Network Rail service units and vehicles awaiting disposal are also provided.

£7.50

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(Product Ref 123719)
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The spread of electrification and increasing use of multi-mode trains has increased the number of electric multiple units in recent years. This book contains a comprehensive listing of electric and diesel/electric hybrid multiple unit trains as registered with Network Rail in autumn 2023 with the following details provided for every unit:
  • Owner
  • Operator
  • Livery
  • Depot Allocation

The book also includes technical data for every class of EMU and an overview of the structure of Britain's railways today. Further details of Eurostar units, Network Rail service EMUs, former BR EMUs in industrial service and EMUs awaiting disposal are also provided.

A complete listing of EMU and hybrid power trains 1 including technical details and unit formations.
£7.50

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(Product Ref 123720)
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British Railways Locomotives & Coaching Stock 2022 is the definitive guide to all locomotives, coaching stock and multiple units that run on Britain’s main line railways. It contains full owner, operator, livery and depot allocation information for every vehicle in service.
This essential reference book is fully updated to early 2022 and includes details of all new rolling stock due to be delivered in 2022.

£26.95

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(Product Ref 33019)
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Recommended as an enthusiasts' travelling companion and annual record book.
The NREA Spotters Companion is a thin, A6 size book which can be easily and comfortably carried in a coat or jacket pocket while still containing a full listing of all locomotives, coaches and unit trains registered with Network Rail in February. This is achieved by eliminating the descriptive section and listing class, unit and vehicle number data only, making this book ideal for quick reference while travelling.

£11.95

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(Product Ref 117983)
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Recommended as an enthusiasts' traveling companion and annual record book.
The NREA Spotters Companion is a thin, A6 size book which can be easily and comfortably carried in a coat or jacket pocket while still containing a full listing of all locomotives, coaches and unit trains registered with Network Rail at the beginning of the year. This is achieved by eliminating the descriptive section and listing class, unit and vehicle number data only, making this book ideal and easily carried quick reference while traveling.

£13.50

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(Product Ref 125305)
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Platform 5 Publishing British Railways TRACKatlas 3rd Edition
The new edition of Britain's most detailed railway atlas, showing the entire national railway network with track level detail.
£27.95

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(Product Ref 61166)
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The miniature railway now occupies an important role in the overall railway scene, with many superb and high quality layouts to delight the discerning enthusiast. This new book from Platform 5 contains details of all commercial miniature railways of gauges from 21in to 7.25in and model engineers club tracks that open regularly to the public.

For every railway a brief description of the line/circuit is provided, together with details of location, address, gauge, line length, and contact details including web addresses. Also included is a detailed listing of the resident locomotive fleet for all commercial railways and most club tracks including details of:

  • Locomotive Numbers and Names Carried
  • Type of Locomotives (steam, battery, diesel, petrol)
  • Transmission type
  • Wheel Arrangement
  • Builder & Date of construction

    From well known popular lines like the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, to much smaller single locomotive operations in public parks, this book contains details of a remarkable 200 different railway undertakings and well over 1000 different locomotives.

    A5 size. 128 pages, including over 60 colour illustrations

  • £14.95
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    (Product Ref 62526)
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    As more British cities open and extend light rail, tram and metro systems this new 2023-published edition of the Platform 5 is a welcome guide to these systems and rolling stock, covering London Underground and all public-carrier light rail and metro systems in the UK.
    Includes complete fleet lists and technical data for all trams and metro vehicles in service, plus engineers’ fleets, on-track machines and preserved vehicles.
    160 pages, A5 format.

    £21.95

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    (Product Ref 104037)
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