In 1949, after many years of coal industry turmoil and indecision, the Premier of New South Wales announced the electrification of the Main Western line to Wallerawang, to cater for the anticipated surge in coal mining and export. The task was expected to take twelve years, with tenders being called for forty Co+Co electric locomotives capable of hauling tonnages never seen in Australia to that date. Portrait of a Classic covers the history of the introduction of electric locomotive haulage in NSW, including the experimental unit, and the introduction and operation of the 46 class, through to the final scrappings in 1998. The detailed text covers topics not seen in a book on this subject before, especially for railway modellers and locomotive historians alike, the numerous changes applied to the

The work is highly illustrated with photos, many which have never been published before, and which highlight the various and differing tasks allotted to the 46, from express passenger trains to the slow moving 1,000 ton bulk export coal trains. The author, Shawn Rannard, is new to the author scene, but writes with the experience of thirty-four years in the Traffic Branch of the New South Wales Government Railways and their successors, twenty months of which were spent as a guard, occasionally working a 46 class-hauled train. For this work, Shawn has not only searched the railway archives, but also heavily researched documents held in the State and Mitchell libraries. The authenticity of the delivery details of the class alone attests to the dedication given by him throughout this book. Shawn has been assisted in his work by well known railway historians Ray Love, Peter Attenborough and Ian Dunn, as well as assistance from railway employees who spent many years working on these locomotives. The Memoirs chapter includes some of the experiences of Ken Groves, at one time an Enfield driver, and Frank Leighton, a Delec fitter. The photos cover every locomotive in the class and every known paint scheme in colour. Portrait of a Classic will become THE book of reference for the NSWGR 46 class. Value for your library.