"The Sentinel - Vol. 1 - 1875-1930"

by W. J. Hughes and Joseph L. Thomas. 320 pp. 84 in. x 54 in. (David & Charles Ltd., Sauth Devon House, Newton Abbott, Devon. £5.95.),

If the Foden was by far the best-known and perhaps the best of the over-type steam waggons, the Sentinel was the greatest and most prolific of the under-types (although it was also made as an over-type) and in later years it was a swift, sophisticated and well-braked steam commercial vehicle.

So a proper history of the famous company, which also made marine and stationary engines, steam fittings, tractors, railway locos, etc. is overdue. Now we have it, in exactly the form most Sentinel advocates would wish, with a great many most interesting illustrations, although the method of reproduction is not beyond criticism. The joint authors are masters of their chosen subject, with practical knowledge of Sentinels operated today, as well as the specialised knowledge required to collate the data available to them. Their first volume includes the Super-Sentinel and its derivatives but the new design of DG waggons will be dealt with in the second volume of this absorbing story.

The Introduction is by the late J.G.R. Woodvine, who, like his father before him, was Managing Director of “The Sentinel” at Shrewsbury. – W. B.