A TRAIN fan has signed copies of his new book which chronicles the early history of steam engines and railways in the North-East.

George Smith has delved into his love of railways to pen Wylam: 200 Years of Railway History.

He attended a session to sign copies of his new book at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon today (Tuesday, June 4).

The book centres on the railway history of Wylam, in Northumberland, which became the centre for revolutionary pioneering work on railway engineering.

The town is the birthplace of George Stephenson on June 9, 1781 but it also has another strong rail link from the early 19th century.

Christopher Blackett, a local colliery owner, organised a series of experiments into the possibility of the creation of a steam engine.

Several great railway engineers including Richard Trevithick, Timothy Hackworth and William Hedley took part.

William Hedley went onto invent the Puffing Billy, the world’s first reliable steam engine, in 1813.

Sarah Towers, marketing communications manager at the museum, said: “It’s a bit of a coup to have the book signing here.

“The book is tells the story of the railway pioneers and of the railways and it ties in with the exhibits at the museum.”

Originally from Hartlepool, Teesside, he worked at ICI Billingham and then studied at the University of York.

On leaving university he moved south he worked for Wessex County Council. He began writing 15 years ago and has several articles on railways in print.

Mr Smith has also worked with Jane Hackworth-Young, who is the great, great, great granddaughter of railway engineer Timothy Hackworth, in recent years on projects.

Wylam: 200 Years of Railway History is published by Amberley Publishing and is on sale at Locomotion priced £12.99.