These include the ex Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique, East African Rail network, Eritrea and of course might South Africa and Zimbabwe – Garratt heaven.

You can find more information and purchase at https://steamtrainstories.com/african-safari/

At least take a look at some of the photos on the web page. They are stunning.

Cheers,

John Gaydon

"I have just had the pleasure of obtaining a copy of your superb 'Where there’s smoke’ publication. Congratulations to both yourself and Rags for the tremendous amount of work and research that has produced such a high standard book. The printing is of exceptional quality which is worthy of all the images", Pete S UK

"I was going to publish my own book until I saw this. Now I am not so sure". Shane O - Australia

"Hello Mike First impression WOW! Second impression WOW again! Third impression an excellent book, superb photos" - Roger W UK

"Hi, john, I received your majestic book in this afternoon’s mail, and the photographs contained there in are absolute master pieces of photography. the other thing that took my breath away, was the rapid dispatch and delivery. thank you so much", Alan J - Australia

These are just a few of the comments we received. It is gratifying to know that we have provided pleasure to some recent converts to steam, as well as reviving memories of days gone past. You can get copies from this website or from Steam Scenes in the UK.

If you pre-ordered a copy it will be sent very soon and I expect you will have it in your hands sometime next week.

I thought I would share a few more of the images of the book here to whet your appetite.

African lighting is special and a few were lucky enough to spend time in that part of the world.

Eastern Europe provided plenty of snow and cold steam trails. When we crossed there from Poland it was clear the border guards were looking for a bribe despite us having all the necessary paperwork. We prevailed.

Southern Europe had better sun than in the north and some rather interesting motive power.

There are many more images in the 160 page book. You can order your copy using the links below.

To order in Australia, click below

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on this link. Total price is $110.00A

Click here to download a flyer

Natal was the land of the Garratt, with GF, GCA and GMAM classes smoking through the Zulu huts in any combination. It all ended late 1974, but the sights and sounds we will never forget.

In Where There's Smoke, we had limited space in the 160 pages, so shot selection was savage. You should see the material that didn't make it! Anyone who visited this part of the world will have memories flooding back then they see this section of the book.

Then there was the Western Cape. With Table Mountain and Sir Lowry's Pass it offered a legion of photographic opportunities.

North of Capetown, a not so often visited line wound its way towards Namibia, terminating at Bitterfontein. After an 11 course Christmas lunch behind a 25 class on the Drakensburg Express, a few of us ventured up there at the end of 1975.

We could go on and on about the section depicting the best of South Africa so lets end with probably the most well known spot in the country.

To order in Australia, click below. Only $80 delivered until the end of July 2019

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on this link. Total price is $110.00A

Click here to download a flyer

Africa is known as the dark continent. Even today many countries in this part of the world present difficulties to visit. In the 1970's there were many challenges in photographing steam trains in this part of the world. For instance in Zambia, after some Rhodesian special forces blew up one of their bridges, You couldn't pull a camera out near infrastructure.

The Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique were in the grip of political and military struggle, with various groups competing for control of the country. Unfortunately, that meant the demise of the famous Buengela Railway in Angola, famous for its wood burning Garratts.

Where There's Smoke features many great images from this part of the world including Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Mozambique, Angola, East Africa, the Sudan, Botswana and more. There were some amazing pockets of steam action and all are featured.

At 160 pages of superb colour photos covering steam trains from Scotland to the southern tip of Africa, Where There's Smoke is a must for anyone who has affection for the iron horse, and its position in world history. In Australia, only $80 delivered if ordered before the end of July.

To order in Australia, click below

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on this link. Total price is $110.00A

Click here to download a flyer

By the 1960's dieselisation and electrification were gobbling up the steam routes throughout Europe. Quite a few Aussies headed over in the early 1970's, but in the earlier decade, our elder statesman renowned South African Rail expert, Charlie Lewis had the foresight to go north.

By the time we arrived in France in 1974 the only remnants of steam we could find was the odd 141R and we never saw one in steam. I think there were some freight workings, but nothing like the glory days. Austria, on the other hand, offered some spectacular alpine scenery.

In September, 1974, we arrived at the Gasthoff Gruber and waited out several days of horrendous weather with constant snow and very poor light. On the third morning, the rain had gone, the sun was shining and it was absolutely freezing! Perfect conditions for steam photography.

This gives you a taste of what is on offer for the northern part of Europe in "Where Theres Smoke". As of today, June 25,2019, we are about to give the go ahead for assembling and shipping after being more than satisfied with the sample copies we received.

Covering Scotland to the cape, it has been a massive production and the next installment will cover the lower half of Western Europe. Right now you can get a copy shipped to your door in Australia for just $80.

To order in Australia, click below

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on this link. Total price is $110.00A

Click here to download a flyer

Where there’s smoke is an ambitious project aimed at covering the world of steam as one by one fires around the world were last for the last time. While our core group of 60 plus gentlemen were able to witness steam in many parts of the world, the UK lost its smoke in 1968 while we were poor schoolboys scrounging pocket money to see the few steam locos left in Australia, and attempting to pass High School Exams at the same time.

We had to turn to some of our older colleagues for coverage in this part of the world. We were fortunate to obtain some great images from John Whitely, Charlie Lewis and Pete Skelton, enough to satisfy steam buffs in the European Union.

West Country 34019 on its way to Bournemoutb. It could well exceed 100 mph on its journey. The Southern line was a speedway as Charlie Lewis captures one such train departing Waterloo Station.

While looking for images to show on the web site, to give a sample of what is in the book, I realised with have managed an incredible coverage of many countries all the way from Scotland to the Cape.

We will be posting more information about other areas included in the book over the coming weeks so you can see what you are missing out on should you decide not to get a copy!

To order in Australia, click below

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on this link. Total price is $110.00A

Click here to download a flyer

Following the success of our NSW books, a core group of us decided to showcase our world wide adventures photographing steam trains around the world in the last 50 years.

Combining with Mick Tyak from the UK and Charlie Lewis from South Africa, we went through our own collections and added others which we could not refuse. The result is we required 2 books to cover our world of steam.

Volume 1 is ready to print and covers Europe including France and the UK, with 9 pages of photos to satisfy the English Gricers. In this volume are many countries in Africa, the Middle East featuring Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and extensive coverage of Western and Eastern Europe.

I must admit, having missed out on many of those parts of the world, it left me envious!

As with our other creations, much effort has gone into developing stunning renditions of the images, bringing scenes from up to 50 years ago back to life. You will be more than happy with the material if you have any interest in trains and the variety is amazing.

We are now taking pre-orders which includes free shipping within Australia. We have a distribution point in the UK for purchasers in the Northern Hemisphere.

John Gaydon

As we roamed the world we formed friendships with other noted photographers, including A.E. (Dusty) Durant, C. P. (Charlie) Lewis, Mick Tyak and others. Our friendships formed over decades have enabled us to tap into a vast array of photographs, many never before published. The quality of our work encouraged them to share some rare and interesting material that may otherwise have never been widely viewed.

The above photos show some of the cars that met an unfortunate demise due to our Rally Driving efforts in remote parts of the world. There is a photo of me flanked by 2 FRELIMO freedom fighters while in detention in Mozambique, and the Trishaw which was the only way out of a City in China in the early 1980's. The three car wrecks are a Datsun 1200 destroyed near the Kimberly De Aar mainline in South Africa, a Peugot 404 station wagon wrecked after several railfan adventures culminating in the trip through Mozambique, Zambia and Rhodesia, and a Toyota Landcruiser left in the Bolivian Desert near Rio Mulato, a very remote part of the world.

We had so much fun back then and took extraordinary risks. Getting the best photographic vantage point and capturing that stunning image was our only concern. We were detained, arrested, had our cars searched, film confiscated and cameras stolen, but we kept doing it right until the end of the might iron horse.

The images in the book have been selected from libraries of well over 100,000 colour slides between us, and carefully scrutinised to only pick those images that stand out or are of historical importance.

We sincerely trust you will enjoy what we have put together as much as we have done making it.

To order in Australia, click below

For delivery to countries outside Australia click on thi link. Total price is $110.00A

Braai

We will have Boerewors (South African Spicy Sausage), Salad and Rolls available. If you want some other sort of meat, or vegan choice, let me know and I will try to meet your requirements.

We will also have some South African Wine and Beer to wash down lunch. This is included in your ticket price.

Dinner

For Dinner, we will stroll down to the Maldon Hotel after the train ride finishes for dinner and drinks. They have a group menu available, if 15 order from that menu. You can download it

here. maldonmenu 

If you would like to order from one of the fixed meal options, please let me know ASAP, so I can co-ordinate this. Everyone to pay for their own meals and drinks at the pub.

I have arranged an overhead projector at the pub and will bring my trusty slide projector and screen with me for the evenings entertainment.

Sorry, no dancing girls, just train slides, and possibly a  movie, although I believe this project isn't complete yet.

Cab Rides

There are still a couple of cab ride spots left. Let me know if you would like to book one.

I am really looking forward to this. Maldon is a lovely heritage town, and there is nothing like riding in luxury behind a real steam loco.

John

0411139312