[Gaazy]

Hello. I was a trainspotter in the early 60s, but stopped when (and because) steam trains ceased operating. Now someone's given me a book containing old photos of local lines around here in Anglesey, and it's rekindled an interest - not in trainspotting again, but in understanding more about railways. The book I was given contains phrases that I don't have any idea what they mean, for example "Class B headcode", "bunker first", "trap point", "headshunt", "Down starter" (a kind of signal, I think - in fact I don't really know where 'up and 'down' are in railway parlance!) and so on.

What I really need is a book that would explain the whole subject for an absolute beginner, describing how the whole system, including signalling, works/worked, and without necessarily delving too deeply into the intricate inner workings of locomotives. If the best book for the job is one aimed at children, I don't mind! Any suggestions?