RAILWAYS are in Bert Holland's blood. Born and bred in the Bolton area Bert, is now professor of organic chemistry and biotechnology at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, but has fond memories of his schooldays.

Steam locomotives rule as far as the former Canon Slade School pupil is concerned as his newly published book Plodder Lane for Farnworth plainly underlines.

The book is a mine of information packed with interesting photographs of rail scenes from Bolton and surrounding districts, many taken by the author during the last few years of steam.

Bert's interest dates back to 1952 when his enthusiasm was aroused by railway sights and sounds from Plodder Lane where he started school behind the Methodist Chapel. Soon he moved the Marsh Lane where trains ran alongside the school playing field and his enthusiasm grew.

From his Highfield Road home he took note of the comings and goings on the tracks nearby and while at Cambridge University spent the summer of 1967 as a fitters mate in the engine sheds at Burnden.

A dearth of steam in mainland Britain led him to move to Queens University in Northern Ireland in 1969 where the NIR 2-6-4T steam locos lingered on a little longer.

Now he has teamed-up with Leigh loco guru and historic railway publisher Dennis Sweeney to offer a super Christmas stocking filler for anyone interested in railway lore and the lure of steam.

Dennis's Triangle Publishing operation is offering Plodder Lane for Farnworth through main booksellers at £18.95. It features 114 atmospheric photographs between its hard covers including a shot of a loco crossing St Helens Road just by the Stag's Head and the Morris Green lane junction -- real traffic calming 1960s style!

But equally intriguing are the period track layout plans, timetables and informative captions. Plus an in-depth insight into life at Plodder Lane, including the wartime years when Italian prisoners of war worked there in the goods depot and engine sheds.