Published by the Industrial Railway Society in 2018, 200 pages. Large hardback - c.21cm by 28cm (N7073)
From the rear side cover: This is the first book published by the Industrial Railway Society that covers both the history and physical changes affecting a UK integrated iron and steel works through a study of its location, economics, plant, railways, locomotives and shipping. Although now functioning as a specialist steel section rolling mill, Skinningrove started using industrial locomotives in 1872 and is still doing so today, 140 years later.
From the introduction: In the years following the end of World War Two, when much of the political map of Europe was in turmoil, Winston Churchill once described the British as "We are with Europe, but not of it." A similar comparison can made between Skinningrove Works and the greater Teesside iron and steel industries around Middlesbrough. Skinningrove's discreet and impressive location makes it an attractive subject for study by the railway historian, whilst its relative proximity to Teesside's iron and steel conglomerates (which it sometimes regarded as unwelcome neighbours) allows for useful comparisons to be made.
Although no longer an integrated works, Skinning rove started using industrial locomotives in 1872 and is still doing so today. Consequently, much space is devoted within the narrative to the locomotive and railway history of the works. Raw materials procurement, ore mining activities, the evolving product portfolio and customer base are also considered in some detail, together with changes in ownership of the works and the economic and commercial position of Skinningrove as part of the greater Teesside iron and steel industries. Chapters include:
Ironstone Mines and Railways
Establishment of Skinningrove Iron Works
Skinningrove Works and the North Eastern Railway
An Integrated Iron and Steel Works
Locomotives to 1922
Fluctuating Fortunes in the Inter-War Years
The Mather and Debenham Partnership
A Mixed Bag of Locomotives
The Works Railway
The Sentinel Diesels
British Steel
A Leading Producer of Special Profiles
Locomotives at Skinningrove Works
The book is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs, drawings and line diagrams.