Harold Gasson was a lifelong railwayman who began his career as a fireman based at Didcot steam motive power depot in 1941. Within a few years he had progressed to the role of steam locomotive driver and later swapped the locomotive footplate for the intricacies of the signal box.
After retiring from the railways, Harold turned to writing and penned four best-selling books between 1973 and 1981, describing his exploits working on the railway. Firing Days was followed by Footplate Days and then Nostalgia Days, leading to the final instalment, Signalling Days.
All four books were eagerly sought after at the time of publication, as this was a time when there was a growing resurgence of interest in the steam railway. The books described the railway readers wanted to read about, providing a nostalgic perspective which could be enjoyed from the comfort of one’s armchair.
Out of print for several decades, all four books have now been reprinted and are available together for the first time in Harold Gasson’s Steam Days: A Railwayman’s Journey from Footplate to Signal Box 1941-1957. The text of all four books is reprinted in full and this compilation also features a new section containing 32 pages of black & white illustrations.
The steam engines and most of the mechanical signal boxes of Harold’s working days may have been consigned to history long ago, but in these well-written and enjoyable books they are brought vividly back to life for a new audience to enjoy. 384 pages.