Vic Mitchell

Joseph Charles Victor Mitchell (1 March 1934 – 18 January 2021) was a British dentist, inventor, and pioneer railway preservationist. He was the author or editor of, and publisher of, more than 600 books on railways in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Early life and career Joseph Charles Victor Mitchell was born on 1 March 1934 in Hampton, London to Wilfred and Amey Mitchell. assisting the staff with their work and being rewarded by cab rides on steam locomotives, visits to the signal box and being allowed to issue tickets in the booking office. On his 10th birthday, the stationmaster was a guest at his party, the only guest Mitchell was allowed.

Mitchell married his wife Barbara in 1958, whilst doing his National Service in the Royal Air Force. He served at RAF St. Athan. They initially lived in a caravan parked in a nearby field, later moving into converted farm buildings. In December 1962, they moved to Midhurst, Sussex.

Railway preservation An advert in the January 1951 issue of The Railway Magazine caught Mitchell's eye. There was a proposal to preserve the Talyllyn Railway and readers were encouraged to write to publicity officer Tom Rolt to pledge their support. Mitchell and a classmate did so. In June, the pair travelled to Towyn, where their offer of help was accepted. A Daily Express reporter visited the line, and the three volunteers appeared in a photograph accompanying the story that was printed. Mitchell returned to the line shortly after with his parents. It was during this second visit that he met Allan Garraway for the first time. Mitchell is recorded as saying that Garraway "was to have a bearing on my life on a number of occasions subsequently". it sold well and Mitchell recovered his investment. Initially, there was no intention to publish more titles, but Branch Lines to Horsham was published in 1982 and other books followed. By June 2018, Middleton Press had published 617 titles. Subjects covered include British railways, tram and trolleybus systems,