The Old Guard

A tribute to Benjamin Morris Taylor, Charles and May Brown.

Produced by the East Anglian Traction Engine society

Paperback

136 numbered pages

Within these pages the society has tried to tell the stories of "The Old Guard" - Ben Taylor and Charlie and May Brown. Steam was a way of life for them and the society owe so much to their foresight and enthusiasm.

The preservationists tend to romance about steam, seeing it only in its nicer form. Ben, his brothers, and the men like Charlie Brown and George Swann, who worked it daily, saw times when it was at its worse. Times when they felt like calling it everything but a thing of beauty!

They lived it, they worked it, they hated it and loved it, all at the one time - it was their life.

The book is illustrated with black and white photographs that compliment the text. There are also copies of other documents to help tell the tale.

The front and back cover of the book have some minor creases and scuff marks.

All pages are in tact but the binding is slightly loose.

There is no writing or markings on the pages although a few pages are slightly creased due to storage.

Purchased from Barleylands Farm Museum, Wickford, Essex, in 1989.

Given that this book is over 30 years old, it is in very good condition for its age.