Kevin Robertson – författare

The Perfect Shot: Mini Edition for Africa II has been completely revised and expanded! This handy pocket-size guide has been a perennial customer favorite ever since it was first published in 2003. Take this mini reference afield as you hunt elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, Nile crocodile, spotted hyena, giraffe, eland, greater kudu, zebra, sable, roan, waterbuck, blue wildebeest, bongo, oryx/gemsbok, hartebeest, black wildebeest, nyala, reedbuck, blesbok/bontebok, impala, bushbuck, springbok, warthog, duiker, klipspringer, steenbok, and grysbok. As in the big book, the mini edition features animal tracks as well as ghost views of vital areas and point of aim for each animal. A brief essay on natural history, trophy assessment, and subspecies is included. In addition, the updated tables in the back list the minimum requirements for inclusion in the Rowland Ward and SCI record books. While nothing can replace the "big" book, this is a super handy item to throw in your backpack or place in your pocket for your next safari. Don't forget to stick a mini guide in your pocket when afield so you'll know just where to place that "perfect shot"!This expanded and updated version is now 160 pages in length-32 more pages than the original Mini Perfect Shot.

Since the original publication in 2005, a considerable amount of new material has been unearthed, both from official and private sources. This is all included in this revised and updated edition of the definitive history of these fascinating trains, which spans from their inception in the 1955 Modernisation Plan, through to their final demise in the scrap yards of South Wales two decades later. The development of the Blue Pullmans involved political and management decisions, the trials and tribulations of the actual design and the sometimes difficult involvement of outside design consultants, before their eventual entry into service on the London Midland and Western Regions. It was never a completely settled service. Staffing and labour relations issues, mechanical problems and an eventual concentration of all the sets on the Western Region put too many special trains in one place, whilst at the same time the Pullman brand and the willingness of the travelling public to pay supplementary fares to travel on them was finding less favour. This comprehensive history of these trains includes plans and photographs, many seen here for the very first time. No stone has been left unturned in the quest to tell their full story, one of ambition, hope and eventual despair, and sadly one without a happy ending.

Kevin Robertson has hunted with multiple clients for dangerous game, and over the years he has had a number of funny, interesting, and sad encounters. Now for the first time ever, Doctari has committed these stories to paper, and we guarantee these anecdotes will keep you entertained for hours. Pull up a chair and read along as Doctari relates his stories as though they are being told around a campfire in a safari camp.

The Southern Way continues to be the definitive journal for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on a fascinating range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs.As always four new issues of The Southern Way will be released during 2021

The Meon Valley Railway (MVR) was a cross-country railway in Hampshire that ran for 22.5 miles between Alton and Fareham, closely following the course of the River Meon. At its northern (Alton) end, it joined with the Mid-Hants Railway to Winchester, the Alton Line to Brookwood and the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway. At Fareham it linked with the Eastleigh to Fareham Line, the West Coastway Line and the line to Gosport. The railway was authorised in 1896 and opened in 1903, making it one of the last railways of any size to be built to main-line standards in the United Kingdom.This informative new book contains the first full set of construction photographs for any railway in the South of England. Taken from the perspective of the surveyor; Navvy, his family, and the local populace, this is an amazing record displaying the impact of building a new railway had on an otherwise untouched landscape. The images are also seen in their original sepia form, without recourse to modern day toning. The 64 pages portray what is intended to be the first of three part work on the Meon Valley Railway. This first volume covers the early years from 1899 through to 1903.

This new title produced by expert Kevin Robertson concentrates on the coaches of the GWR in great detail. For the first time ever the coaches of the GWR are illustrated in full colour. There has been a renewed interest in the rolling stock of the old Great Western Railway in recent years. Whilst several books exist describing the history of the stock, this is the first title produced illustrating the subject in colour. Wherever possible individual vehicles are seen, none in preservation, all the carriages depicted either built by the Great Western, from companies absorbed by the GWR, or to a GWR design. Because of these deliberate limitations, the illustrations are particularly appealing and include HAWKSWORTH and Collett stock -with a feature on the 'Super Saloons' and other 'Special Duty' vehicles, the Toplight design, Restaurant Cars, Auto Trailers, as well as Camping Coaches and a limited number of former passenger vehicles in Departmental use.This new title includes carefully researched captions as well as, Diagrams and Lot and Running numbers. Kevin Robertson also brings the reader a wealth of colour illustrations, many of which have never been seen.

This new title compiled by railway expert Kevin Robertson forms the second of a three part series covering the construction, life and demise of the Meon Valley Railway. This new title focuses on the operational years of what was a rural backwater, again using much previously unseen material. The years featured are from 1904 to 1955, although right from the start the owning company, the LSWR, must have realise here was a line which could never attract business on its own. Indeed economy was to start as early as 1922, after which would come a slow decline tempered with a brief respite when Droxford became the scene of a high level conference in preparation for D-day. All these, and many more aspects of what was a truly charming railway are covered in detail by Kevin Robertson. This informative new title also includes extracts from official paperwork, snippets of local news from the stations themselves and a variety of mono and colour illustrations.

The story of the Meon Valley Railway has been broken into three volumes by expert railway author Kevin Robertson, each of them covering a specific time span. The third volume tells the story of the railway in its final months leading to closure, the last trains and then the gradual decay that naturally followed. However, this is not a book full of depressing images, instead it follows how sections remained in operational use for some years afterwards and also recounts the story of the abortive preservation scheme at Droxford. The book is also alive with stories and folklore from staff and passengers alike. Enthusiasts and locals will be enthralled by this last volume, not least by the specially commissioned painting for the jacket, depicting the station at Wickham by renowned railway artist Sean Bolan.

Kevin Robertson, whose previous two books on Blue Pullman trains have received widespread acclaim, has now sourced even more new illustrative material to produce a brand new title. Produced specifically to co-incide with the release of the Bachmann model of the six-car Midland Pullman train, the book reveals even more material on both the Midland and Western trainsets, most of which has probably lain dormant for decades. The theme follows that of the previous volumes with the building of the Blue Pullmans, their operation on Midland and Western regions followed by the sad rundown to withdrawal. The final chapter covers the fascinating story of Bachmann's concept and production of the new model, complete with factory illustrations.

The change from a red circle to a white circle on an old OS map is indicative of a station closed to passengers but very often open for freight. This was generally a temporary state of affairs being a prelude to ultimate closure of the line. In this, the eleventh in the series, we examine the railways of the pre-1974 county of Berkshire, travelling west to east with a few necessary detours north and south where relevant lines (used to) exist. The date 1974 is particularly important for this volume, as the Local Government Act 1974 which came into force on 1 April 1974 (we will not comment on the choice of this specific day), meant many closed stations and lines were 'moved' overnight. Branch line changes to Windsor & Henley are considered together with an insight into Berkshires industrial lines. Newbury is spotlighted and, amongst others, Radley - Abingdon is discussed providing a local insight into a bygone age.

Luxury train travel - Pullman style - was a feature of the railways until the 1970s and in the south several regular services bore the name Pullman. One, the 'Bournemouth Belle' was destined to become the last regular steam hauled train of its type to operate. As the name implies the service served the Dorset town, running a daily service each way from Waterloo. This was also an all-Pullman train with no ordinary coaches where smartly dressed stewards would welcome the passengers, show them to their seats with aplomb and no doubt also hope for the occasional gratuity. To travel on the service an additional supplementary fare applied whilst meals were similarly extra. On the basis of the additional cost alone it might be thought the service would hardly survive but far from it, and apart from an interruption due to war, the train operated daily from the 1930s until the end of steam in the south in July 1967. Packed with fascinating facts and a plethora of images we see the service at its peak and in its decline and well as recording its passage throughout the route from Waterloo to Bournemouth and return.

Serving the Sussex countryside from Rotherfield through to Polegate, the 'Cuckoo Line' was a fine example of a cross-country railway branch line which failed to survive into the modern era. Serving Sussex towns including Mayfield and Heathfield, a single line of rails provided a service to the local community for over 80 years before falling casualty to the axe of Dr Beeching, with the last passenger trains running in 1965. Half a century later the opportunity has come to take a new look at this railway. The course of the 'Cuckoo Line' has now all but disappeared from the landscape - replaced by roads, housing and industrial development, but this important new book records the line, its stations and rolling stock through-out its history. Using three new sources of previously unpublished photographs and descriptive notes on train and locomotive working, The Cuckoo Line presents a vivid portrait of the line and a way of life lost in the half century since closure

The Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next two issues of The Southern Way, the journal of record for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway, its constituent companies and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs. Four issues of The Southern Way are published annually, usually in January, April, August and October and the regular issues of the journal are supplemented by occasional Southern Way Specials which focus in much greater depth on specific area of SR history, operations or traction.

The Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later, under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.

We are indebted to the work of many famous railway photographers such as the late R C Riley and T B Owen who went to great trouble and considerable expense to record post war steam on BR in colour. This book celebrates the contributions of a photographer whose work has received little coverage up to now but who deserves to be seen in the first rank of those working in colour, Roy Vincent. Roy was railwayman based in both London and later the north-east but his work covers much of the country in geographical terms including the Southern and Western regions. Using quality film, he concentrated on taking pictures in good light and weather conditions and his portfolio contains scores of superb photographs which are being published here for the first time. In the pages of this new book is a succession of memorable images, with work-stained and weary machines interspersed with gleaming locomotives fresh out of works. This is a fitting and long overdue tribute to a fine and original photographer whose work has hitherto not received the credit it deserves.

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next issue of The Southern Way, the journal of record for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway, its constituent companies and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs. Four issues of The Southern Way are published annually, usually in January, April, July and October and the regular issues of the journal are supplemented by occasional Southern Way Specials which focus in much greater depth on specific area of SR history, operations or traction.

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next issue of The Southern Way, the journal of record for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway, its constituent companies and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs. Four issues of The Southern Way are published annually, usually in January, April, July and October and the regular issues of the journal are supplemented by occasional Southern Way Specials which focus in much greater depth on specific area of SR history, operations or traction.

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of the next issue of The Southern Way, the journal of record for all those interested in the history and heritage of the Southern Railway, its constituent companies and the Southern Region of British Railways. Edited by Kevin Robertson, whose extensive knowledge of all things SR and whose many publications on the railways of the south of England are well known to SR enthusiasts, each volume contains a series of authoritative articles on an always interesting range of topics, copiously illustrated with a wealth of photographs. Four issues of The Southern Way are published annually, usually in January, April, July and October and the regular issues of the journal are supplemented by occasional Southern Way Specials which focus in much greater depth on specific area of SR history, operations or traction.

The story of O V Bulleid's 'Leader' class is one that simply refuses to lie down, continuing to be a source of debate and controversy. Was this the great innovation that would have taken the steam locomotive to unheard of levels of sophistication and efficiency, or a folie de grandeur on the part of an undoubtedly creative, charismatic yet maverick engineer, which should never have been countenanced or financed by his superiors? Seventy years after the last examples of these ill-fated locomotives were scrapped, the controversy surrounding them still rumbles on and fascination with the project among railway enthusiasts is unabated.Having written previously on the subject, author Kevin Robertson has continued his research into the 'Leader' class and unearthed much new material from a variety of sources which is presented here for the first time. Whilst not likely to have changed the end result, much new light is shed as to how that decision was arrived at. New sources have been explored that were not available previously and these add greatly to our understanding of how the project was managed, adding flavour and at times even comedy to the events recounted.

Much has been said in recent years about shooting only completely mature, solidly bossed Cape or southern buffalo bulls for trophy purposes. But what does such a bull really look like? Can you tell the difference between a trophy bull and a younger or medium-age bull with soft bosses that still has breeding potential? What are the characteristics of a true trophy bull? The questions most commonly asked on a buffalo safari are a) “What sex is that buffalo?” b) “How old is it?” c) “Where do I shoot it?” and d) “How big is the trophy?”. All the answers are here in this compact, pocket-size book that not only gives you instant comparisons but also shows you precisely where to shoot and what the trophy is like, age- and size-wise.There are probably more African buffaloes hunted today than at any time since WWII, for they are the most accessible and affordable member of the fabled Big Five. Make the most of your hunt and get to know beforehand what a good, mature buffalo looks like, where to shoot it, and how to judge its sex, age, and trophy potential before you follow their tracks and come face to face with a tangle of horns and a press of dark bodies in thick vegetation. That’s when you’ll need to make a quick decision, and this invaluable, fit-in-any-pocket guide will help! Don’t go on safari without one!

The years between 1947 and 1962 witnessed a revolution in rail transport. Locomotives which had been retained for war service were now being retired and replaced by newer designs. Side by side, they presented a unique comparison. Eastleigh was the main steam works and shed for the Southern Railway, and would, over the years, see engines of all types. Some arrived at the nearby shed for service, some for repair and others passed through on their last journey to the scrap yard. One man, Walter Gilburt, recorded these scenes. Part of this collection is used in this book, almost every type of locomotive that visited Eastleigh and images of engines from other regions and private lines nearby. These pictures, supported by informative and detailed text, illustrate not only the trains, locomotives and their sheds, but bring to life a nostalgic record of the Eastleigh railway scene as it was forty years ago - a time when nearly every family worked on, or knew someone associated with, railway life.

Over the last 50 years, the railways of Hampshire have undergone considerable change. The steam engine is now a thing of the past an ordinary passenger lines and the lines themselves have undergone major reorganisation and rationalization. This collection of photographs provides an interesting pictorial history of the railway network of Hampshire. Kevin Roberston is the author of several railway books and has already written about the branch lines of this county. The additional pictorial material used in this volume will make this book enjoyable for those who knew Hampshire railways in their heyday, for railway enthusiasts and the residents of Hampshire alike.

This best-selling work includes an invaluable natural history section on African big game and with much technical information it stands as the most important reference work on the subject.

Kevin "Doctari" Robertson's best-selling book on shot placement for African game, The Perfect Shot, has now been completely revised and updated: extensive additions to the text; 300 all-new photos of the animals covered; and revised, detailed anatomical drawings. The Perfect Shot II also has shot-placement details for a number of species not covered in the original edition, including blesbok, bongo, black wildebeest, grysbok, nyala, reedbuck, roan, and steenbok. In all, twenty-seven African game species are now covered. Robertson, a licensed professional hunter and veterinarian, first developed The Perfect Shot a dozen years ago, and it was quickly recognized as the most comprehensive work ever undertaken to show the anatomical features for all classes of African game. His revised version reflects his increased knowledge of big-game anatomy and shot placement. In addition, the chapters on bullet construction and performance have been substantially revised to cover the advances in bullet development that have occurred in the twelve years since the publication of the original edition. The book covers just about every animal you might hunt in Africa, from the big, dangerous species (elephant, buffalo, rhino, and hippo) to the large cats (lion and leopard) and from the largest antelopes (eland and bongo) to the smallest (duiker, grysbok, and klipspringer). Even Africa's more unusual species (giraffe, crocodile, zebra, and hyena) are covered in detail. Each animal is shown in at least one color field picture as well as a color ";ghost view"; that illustrates the shoulder bones, heart, lungs, brain, and spinal column. These views allow you to see precisely where to place your shot in relation to how the animal may be standing. Most species now have multiple illustrations from different angles for easier understanding of the different shot-placement options.