The Blakesley Hall Railway near Towcester, and its owner C. W. Bartholomew are mentioned in most histories of miniature railways - justly so, as this was the first private estate miniature railway conceived with a specific purpose, and the first to use I.C. power, but little is known about the actual railway which was lifted at the outbreak of World War II. This little book, written by someone who knew the Hall and its railway, goes some way towards filling this gap, giving brief details of the railway, and rather more on its equipment, including a Cagney 4-4-0 and ‘Blacolvesley’, the petrol engined but steam outline 4-4-0 tank built in 1909, which is believed to now be the oldest operable I.C. powered locomotive of any gauge in the world. Other than resetting and a short Postcript by publisher Dr. Bob Tebb, ‘Blacolvesley’s’ present owner, this is a straight reprint, and nice it is. 20 pages. 16 B & W photos. Softcover and great value.