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An Odyssey in Steam Book Review

For decades, the world has been treated to railway paintings by renowned artists such as Terence Cuneo, Don Breckon and David Shepherd. I’ve even had the pleasure of briefly meeting David on a couple of occasions. Recently, I became aware of another artist whose works have been captured in his latest book An Odyssey in Steam  Rocket to Evening Star.

Odyssey in Steam Book - railway paintings

To be totally honest, the sub title’s suggestion of a long time frame did not appeal to me personally. There have been so many publications covering the development of railways that another one failed to initially interest me. I have read numerous books about the development of the railways but find that I’m more interested in twentieth-century progress. I can relate to it more as I have experienced the magic of locomotives and rolling stock of that era. However, I was very attracted to the book cover. This depicts Mallard and Flying Scotsman in company with less famous East Coast Main Line Pacific’s Merry Hampton and Alkazar. They say you can never judge a book by its cover but most of us do! I opened the book.

I feel it worth saying that this is only the second book of railway paintings that I have in my collection. The first is Don Breckon’s GWR which has been a favourite of mine for many years.

The Artist

David Bell author of Odyssey in Steam book of railway paintings

Having read the jacket notes about David Bell,  it became obvious why I was not familiar with his work. Over many years David’s paintings had featured maritime subjects. Indeed his first four books, which have received critical acclaim, include A Nautical Odyssey An illustrated maritime history from Cook to Shackleton.Gresley Gathering painting from Odyssey in Steam book of railway paintings

Locomotives

David Bell now brings his incredible talent to the world of steam locomotives. What struck me immediately was the perfect representation of the front end of a Gresley A4. Throughout David’s book, he has painted the A4s from different perspectives. I never tired of coming across A4s Bugatti styling depicted in David’s paintings. Of course, the book features other locomotives besides A4s. Both LNER and LMS Pacifics are depicted with great style and atmosphere as well as a smattering of Southern Railway and Great Western Railway mainline engines.

David has also painted the larger BR Standard locomotives. This was a real treat for me as particularly the painting 9F 92214. Not only does it have Somerset and Dorset connections but I knew some of the team involved in its restoration from Barry condition including the late and wonderful Peter Lange. He was an ex British Rail fireman from Edgehill locomotive depot in Liverpool.

On Track for Ninety Years painting from Odyssey in Steam railway book

High Quality

I found the accompanying text and captions to the paintings very informative and interesting. There is just enough technical historical detail, and indeed David’s personal recommendations, to entice the reader to turn the pages and absorb the detail of the wonderful paintings. This is a quality publication and I can highly recommend adding it to your collection whether you are a railway enthusiast or lover of art. It would also make a great gift.

Railway Warehouse painting from Odyssey in Steam book

You can also check out the reviews on Amazon and buy the book there – just click here.

Which locomotive would you liked to see painted by David?

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Comments

  1. Kay Sherman says

    13 September, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    My grandads favourite is the Union Pacific Big Boy so that one x

    Reply
  2. hannah igoe says

    13 September, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    My dad would love this!

    Reply
  3. William Dadswell says

    14 September, 2017 at 10:20 am

    When I was 16 (now 72) my friend took a picture of me on the front buffer beam of GWR 0-4-2 tank 1438 at Oswestry shed. A picture of one of these locos at a small branch line station would be great.

    Reply
  4. iain maciver says

    14 September, 2017 at 11:04 am

    the flying scotsman, amazing book

    Reply
  5. Justin says

    14 September, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    I’d go for Mallard, a painting of it at full steam would be awesome.

    Reply
  6. Judith Lightfoot says

    14 September, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    My husbands favourite would be GWR 4073 Class Caerphilly Castle which he still has a model of from when he was a boy!!

    Reply
  7. Adrian Ford says

    16 September, 2017 at 2:06 am

    The Flying Scotsman

    Reply
  8. PETER REYNOLDS says

    16 September, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    CITY OF WELLS FAB.

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    16 September, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    Definitely the Mallard ?

    Reply
  10. Nancy Townsend says

    16 September, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    I would love to see The Flying Scotsman at full steam. It would be awesome if I could win this book for my father-in-law – an avid steam train fan.

    Reply
  11. Alastair Majury says

    16 September, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Symoblic / Fantasy picture of the Orient Express Glenfinnan viaduct en route to Fort William in Scotland.
    Looks like a great book, thanks for sharing the review. Regards, Alastair Majury

    Reply
  12. Tim Taylor says

    20 September, 2017 at 6:19 pm

    71000 Duke of Gloucester, a unique loco for a unique talent to portray

    Reply
  13. Danielle M says

    20 September, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    The Jacobite 🙂

    Reply
  14. Allan Fullarton says

    24 September, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    The Flying Scotsman, looks and amazing book.

    Reply
  15. Edward Tomlinson says

    25 September, 2017 at 8:42 am

    My favourite engine of all time is 4489 Dominion of Canada in her Original garter blue livery. As a boy I saw her many times steaming up the east coast mainline which ran very close to my home, A more magnificent sight I have yet to see.

    Reply
    • railwayblogger says

      25 September, 2017 at 9:54 am

      A lovely memory thanks for sharing

      Reply
  16. Jacqui Graham says

    25 September, 2017 at 8:57 am

    My sons favourite, the sadly long gone Silver Fox Class A4 is a class of streamlined 4-6-2 train going on Stoke Bank.

    Reply
  17. Rich Tyler says

    25 September, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    The Flying Scotsman :)))

    Reply
  18. John Tingay says

    25 September, 2017 at 1:35 pm

    Cock O’ The North would be great – on the Royal Border Bridge would be even better

    Reply
  19. Karen R says

    25 September, 2017 at 2:03 pm

    A class 55 Deltic

    Reply
  20. David Reeves says

    25 September, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Silver Fox Class A4 – a classic and looks modern even now!

    Reply
  21. Chris says

    25 September, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    I realise it isn’t steam and falls into a different era, but my young sons are fascinated with the Class 390 Virgin pendolino, so that would have to be my choice for painting.

    Reply
  22. Jonathan Antill says

    25 September, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    My nephew loves the mallard

    Reply
  23. Debbie W says

    25 September, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    My son takes after my husband with a real interest in all thing “steam”. His favourite locomotive is the Sir Nigel Gresley, so for us it would have to be that.

    Reply
  24. Sarah Rees says

    25 September, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    The Flying Scotsman

    Reply
  25. Ella says

    25 September, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    I can’t decide either The Mallard or The Flying Scotsman, please.

    Reply
  26. ALISON MELVILLE says

    26 September, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    My grandad used to work on the railways and took me to see The Flying Scotsman in the 1960’s. I saw it again recently when it was on one of it’s first journeys after it’s refurbishment.

    Reply
  27. alivefighting says

    26 September, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    I would love to see the Spirit of Traverse City locomotive depicted in this book! I know you can see at the Buckley Old Engine Show in the summer, but the author’s photos are so detailed.

    Reply
  28. Howard Roberts says

    26 September, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    In your blurb under the first picture above:

    “This depicts Mallard and Flying Scotsman in company with less famous East Coast Main Line Pacific’s Merry Hampton and Alkazar.”

    Alcazar, please. 🙂

    Reply
  29. stuart hargreaves says

    26 September, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    MY FAVOURITE ENGINE WAS THE MALLARD

    Reply
  30. Silvia Prizzi says

    27 September, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    my son will love that!!!

    Reply
  31. Mickie Bull says

    27 September, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    I’d want the BR Class 117 DMU, was pretty much the last loco to use the Bridport Railway before Beeching closed it

    Reply
  32. Jodie A Green says

    27 September, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    The Flying Scotsman 🙂

    Reply
  33. sheridarby says

    27 September, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Mallard

    Reply
  34. Rebecca Howells (@Peanuthog) says

    28 September, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    Number 3 Bodiam

    Reply
  35. bob clark says

    28 September, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    61636 Harlaxton Manor – ever present on my many loco spotting days at Cambridge

    Reply
  36. Angela Morgan (@am167krp) says

    29 September, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    Flying Scotsman pounding through Bingley Station – fab

    Reply
  37. HAYLEY TURNER says

    29 September, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    The Mallard

    Reply
  38. francis lee says

    29 September, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    the flying scotsman

    Reply
  39. Anthony Carrington says

    29 September, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I also enjoy don breckon and own his black5 on the mallaig line … but the loco i would adore on my living room wall would be a 9f as i think this loco is so underestimated in the steam era .. its not the rockstars of steam but the true working class of steam

    Reply
  40. Dan Caldon says

    29 September, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Would love to see The Flying Scotsman

    Reply
  41. Emma Bower says

    29 September, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    Emma Bower
    I gave my dad a footplate ride on the watercress line for his 70th so the 45379 LMS Black 5 from there would be great. I would love to win the book for him.

    Reply
  42. Anca says

    29 September, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    I love the Flying Scotsman, it’s such a beautiful train. My husband likes The Mallard and we always compare them. Lovely prize.

    Reply
  43. Champaklal Lad says

    29 September, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    Mallard – great train

    Reply
  44. Rie Tetley says

    29 September, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    The Flying Scotsman – we have a lovely poster of it up in our living room.

    Reply
  45. Edward R Hughes says

    30 September, 2017 at 12:04 am

    Mallard

    Reply
  46. Lydia says

    30 September, 2017 at 1:01 am

    The Sir Nigel Grestley

    Reply
  47. Martina Deeley says

    30 September, 2017 at 8:35 am

    The flying Scotsman

    Reply
  48. Steph Ralph says

    30 September, 2017 at 9:24 am

    The Mallard

    Reply
  49. LORNA WILS says

    30 September, 2017 at 10:20 am

    The flying Scotsman

    Reply
  50. DENISE WILDEN says

    30 September, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    My son in law would love this prize his favourite is The Flying Scotsman

    Reply
  51. Carol says

    30 September, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    Canadian Pacific

    Reply
  52. tony martin says

    30 September, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    LNER B12 – 8572 – which is still active on the East Anglian line

    Reply
  53. Brian W says

    30 September, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Having been brought up living very close to a country railway station, a regular sight for me was …. ‘Evening Star’

    Reply
  54. maria gill says

    30 September, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    My partner and I would love to see a Double-Ended Fairlie Locomotive in one of David’s paintings please. Thank you!

    Reply
  55. Andrew H Fearon (@andyfear16) says

    30 September, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    The Duchess of Sutherland

    Reply
  56. Natalie Crossan says

    30 September, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    Number 3 Bodiam

    Reply
  57. Craig says

    30 September, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    73050 – City of Peterborough

    Reply
  58. matt allison says

    30 September, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    The Tornado especially after watching it in full steam between Dawlish and Teignmouth

    Reply
  59. Alison Shinn says

    30 September, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    LMS Stanier Black Five 44932

    Reply

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