In 1942 the late Ian Allan published his first booklet ‘ABC Southern Locomotives’ and from this a series of booklets were published covering all regions of England, Wales and Scotland as well as buses and aeroplanes. In 1947 Ian Allan Publishing was incorporated becoming the world’s leading transport publisher. Ian Allan himself introduced the word ‘trainspotting’, which became a hobby for hundreds of thousands of boys and girls.
Today the Company still operates the Ian Allan Book & Model shop in London as well as publishing Masonic books under the Lewis Masonic imprint which is the oldest Masonic imprint in the world having been formed in 1886. Lewis Masonic was purchased by Ian Allan Ltd in 1973 and remains the largest supplier of Masonic rituals in the country.
The Ian Allan Book & Model Shop is once again open for business following the closure of all bookshops because of the threat of coronavirus. Social distancing and other control measures have been put in place to keep our staff and customers as safe as possible.
We stock a good range of specialist books, magazines and DVDs on all forms of transport, past and present, as well as military and local history publications. In addition, we offer a range of top-quality models and accessories including model railways, plastic kits and paints.
Opening hours are subject to change but currently we are open Monday to Saturday (9am to 4pm). We can be contacted by phone: 020 7401 2100 or e-mail: waterloo@ianallanpublishing.co.uk
Ian Allan Book & Model Shop 45/46 Lower Marsh Waterloo London SE1 7RG
