Richard Derry

Been a railway enthusiast all my life heavily influenced by trainspotting as part of the 'Haines Bridge mob' in Weybridge, Surrey where a group of us met circa 1959-1963; also by Summer Holidays to mother's parents in Oakengates, Salop where the local 57XX Pannier tanks shunted the local goods yard at the bottom of their garden in Station Hill. Volunteer signalman on the West Somerset Railway where I now live in Somerset.Numerous railway articles published especially in Steam Classic [now defunct] and Steam Railway, since the 1980s.

Specialise in detailed histories of steam classes for the Irwell Press under the series 'The Book of...' and have a good working relationship with the Irwell Press the owners whom I count as personal friends.

First book was 'Richard Derry's Railway Diary' published in 1979, self financed and I learnt a good few lessons from this enterprise.

Have written over a dozen books for the Irwell Press, some now out of print and a few more happily in the pipeline.

Especially includes a revised edition of 'The Book of the Merchant Navy Pacifics' first published 2001, now increased from 100 to 280 pages and the continuation of 'The Pannier Papers'

Future books depend on what The Irwell Press wish to publish for which I will supply works histories, shed allocations etc. Since writing this have had more books published with the Irwell Press, especially co-author for the book of the Stanier 8Fs and the Southern Moguls. Have also become a regular contributor to Steam World magazine and recently to the two Irwell Press magazines British Railways Illustrated and Railway Bylines, so I'm still writing. [October 2018.]