Jul 06, 2015 ian allan, who has died the day before his 93rd birthday, triggered the postwar explosion of trainspotting as a british pastime by publishing the first booklet of engine numbers in 1942 and starting a club which had 230,000 members by the time steam gave way to diesel. Locospotting arrived in 1943, when ian allan, a clerk on the southern railway, began to publish cheap little books which listed every locomotive in britain. Sep 25, 2014 i threw away all my ian allan books and trainspotting records when i discovered the opposite sex and beer at approximately the same time but its still all there in the recesses of the brain. Ian allan himself introducing the word trainspotting and which became a hobby for hundreds of thousands of boys and girls. For many, probably now over 50, his name is synonymous with his series of abc and combined volume train number books. An inspirational figure in the world of railways and transportation publishing and of course the abc books, he will be greatly missed. I used to get an ian allan book with a all the numbers and neatly underline them. Thank you in advance, happppppy everythings, len of westonsupermare. It is said that ian allan created the hobby of trainspotting.
City centres famous trainspotting bookshop to close. Aug 25, 2016 in the uk, this aspect of the hobby was given a boost by the ian allan abc series of booklets from the 1940s onwards. In modern times cellphones andor pagers are used to communicate with others in the hobby, while various internet mailing lists and web sites aid information. No underlinings or inscriptions, half a cup ring on front card cover, which has 60528 on and is pinkgreen,nr. British railways locomotives, combined volume, summer 1960. Dec 05, 2014 the literature of this famous hobby is, it would appear, very much alive and well owing its legacy to the father of trainspotting ian allan and his famous abc guide. Ian allan himself left is pictured here talking and trading experiences with a keen spotter as they pore over one of the very first abc titles, the little number recognition books that first started the trend of trainspotting. Ian allan publishing specialises in railway, road transport, military, maritime and history books. We only ever had one criminal case, i think, involving an older locospotters. When thinking of trainspotting it conjures up an image of teenagers stood at the ends of.
First ever ian allan abc was of southern railway locomotives in 1942. Ian allan, who has died the day before his 93rd birthday, triggered the postwar explosion of trainspotting as a british pastime by publishing the first booklet of engine numbers in 1942 and starting a club which had 230,000 members by the time steam gave way to diesel. See more ideas about books, train posters and locomotive. Enamel lapel badge, ian allan locospotters club red for midland region, deluxe hatched back, made by caxton of kew. In the uk, this aspect of the hobby was given a boost by the ian allan abc series of booklets from the 1940s onwards. Some trainspotters now use a tape recorder instead of a notebook.
Ian allans british rail locomotive books came in 5 versions. Locospotting arrived in 1943, when ian allan, a clerk on the southern railway, began to publish cheap little. Responsible if thats the right term for promoting in the main railway enthusiasm or trainspotting, his abc books became famous. The abc of british railways locomotives by allan ian.
A whole generation of enthusiasts got to know the major railway centres and junctions of britain through their hobby. Since the small beginnings of a one shilling book of locomotive numbers in 1942, the group evolved into a diverse portfolio of operations which, over the years, has encompassed publishing, printing, book and model shops, travel, garages, hotels, organics, regalia and property management. Jul 06, 2015 in 1993, ian allan considered his work. Allan was born at christs hospital independent school, horsham, sussex, where his father, g. I believe that the first books were actually published during the wa. The ones which indicated the numbers and names that you then ticked off or underlined. Allan published books and magazines on all forms of transport and ran rail. Ian allan shop in birmingham closing down railuk forums. Abc british railway locomotives combined volume summer 1958 hardback common. However the company retained its interest in the corporate travel arena, and remains a leading independent travel management company specialising in. Trainspotting a record of the activities of trainspotters at kings cross and euston stations in 1957 and 1958. Ian allan himself introducing the word trainspotting and which became a hobby. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength as a leading independent publisher of books. Ian allens books and other subsequent publications are discussed on 27 november and 29 january 2015.
From an early age, ian allan wanted to be stationmaster at waterloo and. It was founded by ian allan 19222015 in 1942 ian allan, then working in the public relations department for the southern railway at waterloo station, decided he could deal with many of the requests he received about rolling stock by collecting the information into a book. View current stock of abc books by published ian allan or ian allan ltd. Trainspotting book for sale in uk view 48 bargains. Britain is no longer a country for and says farewell to the father of trainspotting, ian allan allan, who started his business career at the age of 20 with a one shilling book of locomotive engine numbers in 1942, sparked a trainspotting craze and developed a portfolio of activities which, over the years, included publishing, book and model. The ian allan books fed and created a trainspotting craze in the 1950s and 1960s and half a century later the amount of trainspotting literature is increasing. Detailsthe ian allan abc rail guide has been published since the 1940s and is the essential reference for enthusiasts, listing all the locomotives, multiple units, coaches and track machines operating in the uk. Mar 30, 2017 ian allan himself left is pictured here talking and trading experiences with a keen spotter as they pore over one of the very first abc titles, the little number recognition books that first started the trend of trainspotting. Buy ian allan books and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. As wendy reminds us, trainspotting really became a hobby with the publication of books containing lists of locomotive numbers by ian allan in the years immediately after the war. Ian allan had a passion for railways from an early age and planned for a career with the southern railway. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Abc british railway locomotives combined volume summer. Ian allan, obe 29 june 1922 28 june 2015 was a publisher who specialised in transport titles through his company ian allan publishing.
The store crecy publishing ltd unit 1a ringway trading estate shadowmoss road. Oct 24, 2019 the late ian allan founded the business in 1942 when he published the groundbreaking book abc of southern locomotives. The first and probably most famous novel from irvine welsh, trainspotting was originally published in 1993, before being made into the both infamous and controversial film of the same name in 1996 by director danny boyle. Allan, ian the abc of southern locomotives ian allan, 1942. Could anyone suggest a site which would be of interest have contacted ian allan publishing. Jun 29, 2015 it was sad today to hear that ian allan died peacefully yesterday aged 93, after a long illness. Football grounds for the 20022003 season aerofilms guide by ian allan publishing and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. However, in the summer of 1937 at the age of 15, he lost a leg in a camping accident with the officers training corps. Lot x 9 ian allan publishing hardback railway book. Although up and about trainspotting on his bicycle within six weeks, this. Today the company still publishes masonic books under the lewis masonic imprint which is the oldest masonic imprint in the world having been formed in 1886. It was sad today to hear that ian allan died peacefully yesterday aged 93, after a long illness. The literature of this famous hobby is, it would appear, very much alive and well owing its legacy to the father of trainspotting ian allan and his famous abc guide.
This is a collection of photographs taken of the first generation of diesel locomotives, also included are the front covers of the accompanying ian allan diesel and electric loco spotters books. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. Jul 02, 2015 britain is no longer a country for and says farewell to the father of trainspotting, ian allan allan, who started his business career at the age of 20 with a one shilling book of locomotive engine numbers in 1942, sparked a trainspotting craze and developed a portfolio of activities which, over the years, included publishing, book and model. Ian allan is a name deservedly recognised the across the world by anyone with a slight interest in railways. He also coined the word trainspotting but preferred the term. Since the small beginnings of a one shilling book of locomotive numbers in 1942, the group evolved into a diverse portfolio of operations which, over the years, has encompassed publishing, printing, book and model shops, travel, garages. Ian allan, obe 29 june 1922 28 june 2015 was a publisher who specialised in transport. The ian allan locospotters club was formed in 1948 to help control the craze. Feb 25, 2018 as wendy reminds us, trainspotting really became a hobby with the publication of books containing lists of locomotive numbers by ian allan in the years immediately after the war. Ian allens books and other subsequent publications are discussed on 27 november and 29 january 2015 the ian allan books fed and created a trainspotting craze in the 1950s and 1960s and half a century later the amount of trainspotting literature is increasing.
An inspirational figure in the world of railways and transportation publishing and of course the abc books, he will be greatly missed when thinking of trainspotting it conjures up an image of teenagers stood at the ends of station platforms in coats clutching a note book and. Ian allan very sorry to see that he had passed away recently just one day short of his 93rd birthday. He died one day away from his 93rd birthday on june 28 2015 and was. The ian allan locospotters club got off the ground around mid 1945 then being known alternatively as abc locomotive series spotters club, after some 18 months of discussion between o j morris and ian allan. Plastic lapel badge, ian allan locospotters club green for southern. Ian allan travel was quickly established and over a period of 24 years became a major travel agency chain in the south and west of england, culminating in the sale of its 35 branch offices in 1988. Ian allan, who has died the day before his 93rd birthday, triggered the postwar explosion of trainspotting as a british pastime by publishing. Pin back badge, ian allan transport trackers, 39mm across.
Featured book article about ian allan abc series of locomotive listing books. Lot x 9 ian allan publishing hardback railway this book is in good condition throughout the hardback cover has a few slight marks on it owing to age. Ian allan published the first abc spotter book and this led to a boom in trainspotting. Jun 30, 2015 ian allan, who has died the day before his 93rd birthday, triggered the postwar explosion of trainspotting as a british pastime by publishing the first booklet of engine numbers in 1942 and.
We have many books on trainspotters memories of this time in the. The late ian allan founded the business in 1942 when he published the groundbreaking book abc of southern locomotives. I should make it clear that i never actually met the man himself, indeed at that time i doubt i realised there was an ian allan. Today the company still publishes masonic books under the lewis masonic. A nostalgic selection of fullcolour photographs of one of britains bestloved and iconic bus companies. Ian allan books for sale in uk 60 used ian allan books. Abc british railway locomotives combined volume summer 1958 hardback common ian allan publishing on. The ian allan abc rail guide has been published since the 1940s and is the essential reference for enthusiasts, listing all the locomotives, multiple units, coaches and track machines operating in the uk.
British rail locomotives and other motive power ian allan on. This 2014 edition reflects a significant number of changes made on the network during 20 including new locomotives and multiple units ordered and entering service and new details of. He later of course brought out abc shipping books and in the late 1960s the first ocean ships edited by bert moody. Trainspotting began in 1942 when mr allan was a 19yearold trainee in the publicrelations office of the southern railway at waterloo. Trainspotting was a harmless kids pastime in an age. Oct 18, 2009 this is a collection of photographs taken of the first generation of diesel locomotives, also included are the front covers of the accompanying ian allan diesel and electric loco spotters books. We only ever had one criminal case, i think, involving an older locospotters club member interfering with younger chaps.
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