Sixty years on from when it started in earnest, the dieselisation of BR is still an emotive subject. By referring to British Railways files in the National Archive, the author of this rather good tome presents a balanced view, and also the complete story from its start in the 1930s. Whilst gas-turbine power and mechanical transmissions are not ignored, the main discussions centre on the use of hydraulic or electric transmission, and the German success with the former is considered, against its ultimate demise in locomotives at least on BR; was this due to regional rivalry? Read this for the full story! Recommended! 160 pages, well illustrated with B&W photos and some drawings. Hardbound. Ian Allan