Surprisingly this is the first biography of John Ramsbottom (1814-1897) despite his considerable importance in the development of British railway engineering. Immediately known for his design of safety valve - just one of his many inventions, he designed a whole series of sturdy and successful locomotives for the L&NWR, developed Crewe Works as a major locomotive building and repair facility, retired at the age of 57, but was to return some years later and develop Horwich Works for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. This very nicely done, and exceptional value book looks at all aspects of Ramsbottom’s engineering life in 96 A4 format pages, full of drawings, maps, diagrams and photographs. Paperback. The L&YR Society