The Ian Allan Story – Peter Waller
RCTS – West Midlands Branch Meeting Report 19th December 2022 – Coventry
The Ian Allan Story - Peter Waller
On Monday 196th December 2022 our guest speaker was Peter Waller, former Publisher for Ian Allan.
The fascinating story of Ian Allan, who died at the age of 93 in 2015, began from humble beginnings in Central London to reach worldwide acclaim amongst all railway enthusiasts. During WWII there were no lists of loco numbers or names available for train spotters so in 1942 the young Ian Allan decided to do something about it.
The first to be detailed were locomotives of the Southern Railway, which he published in booklet form and was followed by the GWR, LMS and finally the LNER. By the 1950s the well-known ‘Combined’ volumes had appeared. Affectionately remembered by most of those present at the meeting. In order to promote business he introduced Loco Spotters clubs and organised railtours. The growing empire of Ian Allan included ventures into other areas in addition to the introduction to the purchase of their own printing press.
This meeting broke away from our usual visual presentations giving us ‘A Talk’ which kept the above average attendance entertained. Peter gave expanded responses to a number of questions, before he was thanked by our Secretary - Derek Huntriss (one time author of many Ian Allan colour titles).