Adrian Vaughan

The book describes the author's early interest in railways, through to being employed first as a porter, and then a signalman. It's a story (from the late 50s/early 60s) of how life used to be on a country railway station, and it's instructive to compare life then, to now. Stories of a 13-year old being allowed to operate the signal box, of footplate rides and various practical jokes are illustrations of an informal and relaxed way of life that is hard to imagine now. Having said that, the pride in the job, and the understanding of safety, and adherence to the rule book also come through strongly. The opportunity to watch 'Kings' and 'Castles' come through the station at speed on a summer afternoon, or even after dark, paint an idyllic scene that would appeal to most railway enthusiasts.
This is the first of three autobiographies covering the author's railway career as a signalman. In total he has written 30 books on railway topics.… (més)

This book only arrived yesterday and I have read and shelved it with the others by this writer, a conscientious and professional railway worker and thoroughly 'readable' author.I am already missing his quite , clear 'voice' and am so saddened by his account of the passing of such a lifestyle that I will probably decline to read the last part of this trilogy.

In this work the author (no relation) continues his auto-biographical account of his career from a young an very unofficial signalman's helping hand (Booking Clerk)to the demise of both his career and the GWR (God's own railway)and the passing of those efficient and evocative steam engines, surely the clipper-ships of rail.

The book has many great photograph's by both the author - who remains to this day a steam enthusiast - and his father. His prose-sketches of the wonderful characters who were his work-mates make the reader feel that they were part of his life too, and he grows lyrical in his descriptions of not just the marvelous engines, but the early dawn and surrounding country-side. Lots of witty "tales", great research, as well as recalled and detailed memories - a great read for railway-lovers and just readers of plain good prose.… (més)

You quite often see the description warts and all on biographies and what is meant is that the subject turns out … on research… to be as (im)perfectly human as the rest of us! Vaughan’s great and very readable life on the greatest of all engineers is no exception, and there were certainly some warts.

It is more than the fairly usual wife neglect of the “Alpha” male that we find in many over-achievers in history, Brunel was also overly ambitious, often wrong, and usually over-spent on both estimates and budgets.

However his sheer genius shines through these wisps and fogs and the truth, in this case, fails to damage Brunel’s greatness. His works … the GWR Railroad, SS Great Britain, the Avon Gorge bridges and even his ‘domestic’ building designs … attest to a striving, driving brilliance. Adrian Vaughan actually worked on remaining segments of Brunel’s greatest monument, the GWR (see his very enjoyable autobiographical account in http://www.librarything.com/work/book/85310863 Signalman’s Morning) and describes the purity of engineering Brunel designed into such a great railway.

Eminently readable prose, a very good ‘life’ … warts and all.

Disclaimer - no relation, or none that I know of although the Author’s Photo I found for his page on LibraryThing rather belies that !… (més)

Firstly, no relation. Or none that I know of although the Author’s Photo I found for his page rather belies that !

What a charming, chatty and well written book. Not just for ‘gricers’ (trains-spotters) at all, although undeniably full of railway lore and detail but a story of a conscientious, likable youth maturing into his chosen profession and passion.

Adrian was born in Reading, long, long ago (I can say that as he is 2 years older than me!) and has crafted over twenty books on railways and the great engineer Brunel. His personality shines very cleanly through his writing, and as an author he is entertaining and engrossing – he spends 50 pages describing just his first day at work, and every pages is interesting! He added s sight I had forgotten, from my own early days, on ships, not trains, that of the fireman cooking breakfast 'on the shovel' - always shining bright from the scouring of the coals - but hardly 'clean'. The hot shovel was withdrawn from the hot coals - a splash of water turned instantly to steam - it was now declared sterile and a few rashers of bacon soon turned it - back into the furnace - into a pan of tasty fat for the eggs!
This is someone who is admirable, entertaining and – most of all – who writes interesting books, As readers could we ask more? Well, he has also spent the last twenty-five (25!) years as a volunteer on maintaining a preserved’ heritage’ railway.

Believe me – if you have any interest in rail, England or just enjoy a well-crafted read you will enjoy this book.… (més)