A BOOK first published in 1982 to explain the fascination behind Barry and its steam locomotives has been updated almost 30 years later.

Authors Martin Beckett and Roger Hardingham have overhauled the original, much smaller paperback of The Barry Story, to include the tenth edition of The Barry List - meaning the complete story is available for the first time in one publication.

The book features previously unseen photographs after Dai's wife Netta, who still lives locally, gave Mr Hardingham access to the Woodham family archives.

The book and DVD, The Legend of Barry Scrapyard, illustrate the important role the Barry Dock scrap yard played in preserving steam locos in the UK. Dai Woodham's steam ‘graveyard’ closed more than 20 years ago after the last engine was removed.

Enthusiast and co-author Roger Hardingham said the Woodham brothers were mainly scrap metal merchants in Barry from the early 1900s right up until the mid-1990s.

"Dai Woodham became very famous in the UK for buying up old redundant steam locomotives in the late 1950s and 60s from British Rail, but instead of scrapping them, he held onto them due to other commitments," he explained.

"By a twist of fate, preservations started to buy them from him and in total 213 engines left the yard at Barry docks for all sorts of destinations around the UK.

"This started a major tourist railway boom, and today dozens of railways around Britain offer train rides on beautifully preserved lines using engines from Barry!"

He added: "I knew Dai Woodham a little after buying two engines myself and went on to write books on the history of this phenomenon.

"The whole story put Barry on the map and thousands of people used to come down to the yards to look round.

"Now of course it has all gone, but the legacy is still there and Barry is well remembered for its part in railway preservation."

The book costs £6.95 and the DVD £14.95, with free postage.

To order visit www.railwayvideo.com Alternatively you can write, enclosing a cheque for the relevant amount, to Kingfisher Productions, Felmersham, Mills Road, Osmington Mills, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 6HE.