Mid-Cheshire based heritage transportation specialist photographer and feature writer Keith Langston traveled extensively with Fred Dibnah during the filming of his last TV series, 'Made in Britain.’ Following Fred's untimely death, Keith embarked upon the creation of a book, drawing not only on his experiences with the Bolton born steeplejack and TV presenter, but in addition talking to a representative cross section of those persons who numbered themselves amongst Fred's many friends.

Fred became a high profile media personality and the fame which accompanied that status never affected him, or in any way changed his down to earth demeanor. He will be remembered not only for his many practical achievements, but also for encouraging thousands of others to care about our industrial heritage. The steam bug infected Fred at a very early age possibly following his illicit visits to his father's place of work, a bleach factory. Encouraged by one of his ex teachers Fred started what he described as 'a steeplejack business'.

When he turned to presenting his own programs his blunt, no nonsense style made a welcome change from the so called television professionals. His genius lay in being able to communicate with the audience in simple, direct, colloquial English.

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Fred Dibnah - The Family Man
• Looking Back - The Early Days
  • My big brother
  • Boy racers!
  • Any old iron and matters aquatic!
  • A shocking discovery!
  • The clock stopped there!
  • Planning for the future!
  • Runaway romance!
  • The view from above
• At Home with Fred Dibnah
• A Capital Affair - Fred Collects his MBE
• Bolton School of Art
• Summer 2004
  • Fred at Anderton Boat Lift
  • Proud as punch - first trip with the Aveling
  • A visit to the Midland Railway Centre
  • A visit to the Severn Valley Railway
  • Fred and his new living van – first time on the road
• The Last Drop Disaster
  • The Last Drop disaster
• The Eyes Have It
• Fred’s Way
• The Man from the Telly
• Where’s Me Ten Bob? - Bill Richards: Licensed victualler, mining historian and aircraft mechanic
• That Reminds Me!
• The Dream?
• ‘Up & Under’ - Simon Warner Remembers
  • Climbing to Even Greater Heights
• Chimney Demolition - The Family Man
  • Fred’s last c himney
  • General Patton’s revenge
  • 5am knock-up
  • ‘Concrete Bob’ has the last laugh
  • Demolition Man
• Up, Up and Away!
• ‘Atlas’ – Fred’s Favourite Engine - Jim Stevenson, Film Maker and Writer
• Meet Spiny Norman - also known as the Sputnik
• A Musical Interlude - David Devine
  • Cat and Fiddle
• ‘Nut Roast’ and the Red Rose Steam Society
• On the Road with Fred
• ‘On the Buses’ to ‘Up the Ladders’
• The Day that Bolton Stood Still
  • The Words of Barry Newth
• The Making of Fred…
• A Bronze for Fred
• Meet the Author