Transacord: Sounds of Steam

This updated and expanded 2nd edition of the original 2011 publication continues the Transacord story, which restarted trading in 2015, adds further details surfaced thanks to original publication, and adds new images, plus replacing b&w images from the first edition with full colour images. Transacord released its first railway recordings in 1955 and, in its 1960s heyday, the company's records chalked up sales of 40,000 records per year. 'Transacord: Sounds of Steam' celebrates one of Britain's best-loved record labels and was written with the full cooperation of Transacord and the National Railway Museum, York (which holds the Peter Handford Collection). Enthusiasts were quick to recognise the exceptional quality of both the recordings and of Peter Handford’s skilful editing. Handford had a dual career as a British film industry sound recordist and was at the forefront of location recording (he won an Oscar for the soundtrack to 'Out of Africa') and the techniques learned as part of his trade ensured that every Transacord record included more than just ‘railway noises’. He brought an artist's ear and the enthusiast's knowledge to his recordings and each record presented a compelling series of soundscapes, in which steam locomotives were the undisputed stars (and occasional prima–donnas), backed by a full supporting cast of birds, dogs and church bells (if in the country) or the clanking of signal levers and station announcements (if in a station or yard). Minute attention to detail and to atmosphere – the product of his pioneering work in the film industry – ensures that Transacord records continue to provide the listener with such a transport of delight. ​A limited number of supporting CDs, complete with two tracks not previously available on CD, are available separately for £5 + p&p. See the Bristol Folk Publications/The Record Press website.for details and ordering.