Trains and railways: general interest Books

Book SynopsisThe book concentrates on the London Midland Region in the final years of steam traction covering the period 1948 to 1966. All major London Midland Region towns and cities are represented. - A fascinating collection of hitherto unpublished black and white photographs by former Senior British Medical Council researcher, Ben Brooksbank. - Over 275 photographs are included. - The photographs show remarkable clarity even though photographic materials were difficult to obtain during the immediate post-war period. - Many different classes of locomotives are featured, ranging from the old Midland and LNWR engines ready for withdrawal in the late 1940s, the ex- MR Johnson 0-6-0s which would survive a little longer, the Fowler classes quietly going about their business, the Stanier Class 5 and 8Fs covered in grime, but still efficient, while a bit of 'glamour' is provided by (some) neatly turned out named 'Jubilee' 4-6-0s and 'Coronation' Pacifics. The next generation of locomotives - the BR Standards - also appear, with the 'Britannia' Pacifics included along with Class 5 4-6-0s, Class 4 4-6-0s, Class 4 2-6- 0s, Class 3 2-6-2Ts and the heavy freight 9F 2-10-0s. - Photographs have been taken from the line-side, on station platforms, on shed, around a number of Works and along lines which have long since disappeared. - The captions are well researched and include locomotive details as well as historical information about the various routes, stations and other architectural features

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Book SynopsisIn the mid-1930s, eminent locomotive engineer Sir Nigel Gresley produced plans for the A4 Class Pacifics, which were specially built to work a new high-speed express, the ‘Silver Jubilee’. From the start, the class caused a sensation and immediately secured the admiration of the general public. Gresley’s A4s captures these worldfamous locomotives throughout their life, with over 300 excellent colour and black and white images present in this collection, which is arguably the greatest ever assembled on the class. Photographs of every locomotive in the LNER and BR periods are included. Overa dozen A4s feature in a chapter dedicated to the 1946 renumbering, which lasted only two/three years, making pictures of them particularly rare. The A4s are shown at major centres on the East Coast Main Line, such as King’s Cross station, Peterborough, Grantham, Doncaster, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley. Also, images taken during the twilight years in Scotland are included. The surviving engines are seen at several locations in the country – Aberdeen, Glasgow and Perth. A number of images are from the lineside at various points, or wayside stations and water troughs. Some classmembers have been photographed at sheds when being serviced, or under repair at workshops. Many of the famous trains worked by the A4s are presented, such as the ‘Silver Jubilee’, ‘Coronation’, ‘West Riding Limited’ and ‘Flying Scotsman’, then later the ‘Capitals Limited’, ‘Elizabethan’, ‘The Talisman’, etc. The class were often selected to head special trains and there are several examples of this in Gresley’s A4s. The pictures are accompanied by interesting and informative captions that provide details from the history of each locomotive, as well as the class.

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Book SynopsisAuthors Paul Lawton and David Southern continue this series of pocket books exploring Wales'' railway heritage, each revealing a ''lost line'' of Wales. In this addition, take a nostalgic, fully illustrated, steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed service between Corwen and Rhyl. A historic line dating back to 1856, passenger services were depleted and finally withdrawn.

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Book SynopsisAuthors Paul Lawton and David Southern continue this series of pocket books exploring Wales'' railway heritage, each revealing a ''lost line'' of Wales. In this edition, take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed service between Bangor and Afon Wen, cut as part of the Beeching Axe in 1964. Fully illustrated with black and white photographs.

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Book SynopsisAuthor Geoffrey Lloyd continues this series of pocket books exploring Wales''s railway heritage, each revealing one of the nation''s ''lost lines''. The closure of many of these lines has had significant and lasting impact, and the recovery of some routes is of public relevance and a source of debate today.

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Book SynopsisThe Yatton to Witham line was one of the prettiest and best-loved railways in Somerset and is remembered with great affection by locals and railway enthusiasts alike. It ran along the edge of the Mendip Hills through Cheddar, Wells and Shepton Mallet. Today, walkers and cyclists enjoy stretches of it as the Cheddar Valley path.

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Book SynopsisThe five years either side of the millennium was a period of great change on the railway network with the advent of privatisation and, on the passenger side, the introduction of franchised operations. On the freight side, the original British Railways network was initially split into three companies - Mainline, Loadhaul and Transrail - but they all ended up being purchased by EWS, the English, Welsh and Scottish Railway. The period saw new rolling stock, new locomotives and a staggering number of different liveries. Illustrated with over 150 colour photographs, this book records some of the many changes to the main route network in Central Scotland, capturing the last days of some of the older classes before they were phased out and, equally, documenting the new as they came in. By 2005, the railways of Central Scotland had evolved almost beyond recognition when compared with how things had been ten years earlier and in this volume Ian Lothian provides an interpretation as to how things were and how they have been transformed over a decade.

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Book SynopsisThis, the first of two volumes covering the railways of Cornwall, follows the railway through the changing landscapes of the county. It takes the reader from the rich farmland west of St Germans, through the unique Glynn Valley down to Bodmin Road and the freightabundant area of Lostwithiel and Par before reaching clay country on the way to the final destination of St Austell. In addition, also explored are the branch lines, which range from the rural line to Looe, the splendour of the River Fowey on the clay line to Carne Point and the varied and ever-popular Newquay branch. Lavishly illustrated with 180 full-colour photographs, many set in glorious countryside, this book shows a variety of locomotives. Service trains dominate the images, though there are many charter trains featured, some with exotic traction for the far south west. Taken from the short days of winter with piercing low sunlight, to the long days of high summer when the upside of the Cornish mainline is lit, allowing a different perspective, the photographs capture not just the trains, but the beautiful landscapes, rivers and coastline of the Duchy.

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Book SynopsisDespite the substantial decline of coal mining in the UK over the last three decades, until recently, coal was still a vital energy source for the nation's power stations. During 2013 and 2014, coal accounted for 36 per cent of all UK rail freight, but that amount plummeted in 2015 due to the doubling of the top-up carbon tax, a measure implemented to encourage power stations to use greener fuels. With the government's phase-out of all coal-fired power stations by 2025, many have already closed. South Wales is one of the last places in the UK where coal is still mined and despatched by rail for domestic consumption. Aberthaw power station was the principal customer for this coal until 2017, when they turned to imported coal. This measure was taken to reduce toxic nitrogen emissions at the plant and was the beginning of the end for the power station, which finally closed in late 2019. Coal is still mined in South Wales and is supplied by rail to Tata steel in Port Talbot, to British Steel's Scunthorpe works, to Breedon cement works in Derbyshire and to Immingham for export. However, the future of the industry remains uncertain as we move away from fossil fuels towards more eco-friendly forms of energy. This book looks at the last of the coaling operations in South Wales, from 2013 to early 2020, and features over 190 colour images of coal trains running to and from the mine sites along the scenic South Wales Valleys and the picturesque stretch of coastline that the Vale of Glamorgan line takes to Aberthaw.

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Book SynopsisAs traditional locomotive haulage declined in the UK and many enthusiasts' favourite classes were withdrawn or taken off passenger work, British Rail fans began to broaden their horizons in the 1980s and look at the railway networks of other countries. For many, their first ports of call were the nearer continental European countries, with Germany proving particularly popular as it still featured locomotive haulage over much of its network, even on the smaller branch lines. Ireland also proved popular as their services were almost exclusively loco-hauled. As more enthusiasts traveled abroad and information and number lists became more available, foreign rail holidays became ever more popular, with worldwide favorites including the USA, with its long history of diesel traction and iconic locomotives, and India, with its extensive system and thousands of locomotives. As locomotive haulage declines in the rest of the world, British 'bashers' are becoming ever more adventurous with most countries, even North Korea, regularly featuring organised visits for enthusiasts. Today, British enthusiasts are found participating in their hobby all over the world and this book, featuring over 160 colour photographs, summarises some of the more popular destinations and locomotives that they travel abroad for. 160 colour illustrations

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Book SynopsisThis book follows the railway through the eye-catching scenery of the west of the county. Over 180 stunning full-colour photographs take the reader on a journey that starts in St Austell, against the backdrop of the clay workings, before moving on through the rich, arable farmland that surrounds the line on the way to the capital city, Truro. West of Truro, the landscape is littered with former mine workings and signs of its rich industrial heritage. The scenery then changes as the line continues on past the busy fruit farms west of Camborne and proceeds on to Hayle. Once across Hayle's unique viaduct, it runs through St Erth before passing St Michael's Mount, skirting Mounts Bay and finishing at the terminus of Penzance. Also explored are the existing branches that are still running, including the Burngullow to Parkandillack line, the only freight-only branch still running, and the passenger branch lines of Truro to Falmouth and St Erth to St Ives. Nostalgically, the Hayle Wharves branch has been included and is the only line in the volume that no longer exists. 180 illustrations

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Book SynopsisGreat Railway Journeys in Europe features 34 fascinating journeys in North-West, Nordic, Central, Southern and South-East Europe, ranging from cross-continental adventures to short, nostalgic excursions by steam train. There are journeys through stunning scenery, such as the trip on The Rauma Line in Norway; tracks that defy the terrain, such as the routes through the Swiss Alps, and journeys that link famed cities in France, Spain, Austria and Italy. Photographs illustrate the spectacular routes, remarkable locomotives and unique station architecture. For each journey, details cover technical information on the track, descriptions of the scenery the trains pass through, notable facts about the destinations and factual information on ticketing. Each journey is plotted on a route map. Whether you are planning a special trip by train or delighting in discovering Europe's best railway journeys from the comfort of your armchair, this book is an informative and entertaining read.

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Book SynopsisThe years between 2006 and 2015 saw many changes in Central Scotland's railways with projects such as the rebuilding and reopening of the lines from Maryhill to Anniesland and the Larkhall branch, as well as the opening of the Stirling to Alloa and Kincardine line in 2008, followed by the Airdrie to Bathgate route in December 2010. Illustrated with over 150 colour photographs, this volume looks at the transformation of the main route network in Central Scotland, over the ten-year period, detailing changing franchises, different liveries and new lines, locomotives and rolling stock. 150 illustrations

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Book SynopsisThe last 15 years have seen many changes in Scotland's rail network, including the replacement of old rolling stock, an explosion of colourful liveries, the opening of routes, the demise of coal trains and a boom in container freight traffic. Furthermore, electrification has changed a number of the lines beyond recognition. These changes have led to new electric units ousting the diesels and the introduction of HSTs on services between the Scottish cities. Illustrated with over 180 images, this book details the huge variety of trains, ranging from the everyday to the unusual, that have been seen on Scotland's rails in the last 15 years.

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Book SynopsisThe first of two volumes covering the railways of the South East, this book focuses mainly on Sussex but also includes small sections of Surrey and Kent. It concentrates on locomotive-hauled traffic and details a wide range of trains including inter-regional passenger, parcels and mail, fuel, heavy freight, test trains, engineers traffic, Rail Head Treatment Trains, Snow and Ice Treatment Trains, railtour excursions and the luxurious Orient Express. An extensive range of different liveries, many now consigned to history on the main line, are shown. There is also a small selection of DEMUs in some of the areas they once operated. Over 180 colour photographs, the vast majority of which have never been published before, serve to illustrate some of the wonderful countryside to be found in this corner of England as well as the trains that run through it. They are complemented by informative captions detailing not only the trains themselves but also some of the infrastructure and features found along the routes covered. 180 illustrations

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Book SynopsisThis photographic journey illustrates East Yorkshire's fascinating passenger and freight trains, railway infrastructure, stations and signalling over a 40-year period from the late 1970s. Local knowledge has enabled many unrepeatable workings or interesting visiting locomotives to be captured on film giving a comprehensive record of the many changes that have taken place in the railways of East Yorkshire. The over 180 color photographs, many of which have never been published before, illustrate rail services have grown or declined and the infrastructure of the railways has evolved over 40 years to meet the needs of the modern railway era.

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Book SynopsisAlthough in the late 1970s they were frowned upon by many for replacing a number of loco-hauled services, and indeed locomotives, for 40 years the High-Speed Train (HST) was the mainstay of express services for many train operators in the UK. It was in the former Western Region of British Rail that they first made their mark in service, and they were on duty there from their earliest days until 2019 when, after years of sterling work, they were withdrawn from frontline express duties. Illustrated with over 190 colour photographs, this book looks at the history of many of the power cars that worked in the region and details the varied Western Region locations, some off the beaten track, where they could be seen operating during their four decades of service. 190 colour photographs

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Book SynopsisThe second of two volumes covering the railways of the South East, this book focuses on Kent. It details a wide range of different trains including heavy aggregate, inter-regional passenger, test trains, the Orient Express, newspaper and mail trains, railtour excursions, engineers' trains, weed killers and intermodal, steel, coal and nuclear flask traffic. An extensive range of locomotive classes in different liveries, many now consigned to history, are shown at work on main lines and branch lines in the 'Garden of England'. Over 180 colour photographs, the vast majority of which have never been published before, serve to illustrate the variety found in a corner of the country often regarded as a mainly multiple unit commuter carrying environment. The pictures are complemented by informative captions detailing each particular train and its working along with some of the infrastructure found along the routes covered. 180 colour photographs

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Book SynopsisIn the late 2000s, Freightliner was looking to expand its locomotive fleet towards more powerful and fuel-efficient locomotives that were compliant with the various European Union emission standards and rules. In a departure from the newest and most common locomotives running on the network at the time, Class 66s built by General Motors, Freightliner looked to General Electric to construct these new machines and opted to place an initial order for 20 locomotives with an option for a further ten. The new Class 70 was a 3,690bhp locomotive of a very different design from the Class 66s, with a focus on reliability and efficiency. Eventually, Freightliner declined to take up the option of the further ten locos and instead they were taken on by Colas Rail. Containing over 190 colour photographs, this book is a collection of images showing every Class 70 locomotive, except the ill-fated 70012, over the last decade or so that they have been in service. It shows a variety of locations, mostly in the south of England, where these impressive locomotives can be seen at work. 190 colour photographs

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Book SynopsisIn this volume, we explore the southern end of the Heart of Wales line - Central Wales Line 1. It includes the now closed section running along the Swansea shore line and the branch to Carmarthen, and documents its complicated history around the Swansea and Llanelli areas.

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Book SynopsisHaving covered the southern section of the Central Wales Line and its branches in Swansea to Llandovery, this volume traces the line from Llandovery to Craven Arms, where it met the North & West line, taking its traffic on to Shrewsbury. This is Central Wales Line 2.

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Book SynopsisThe B1 Class 4-6-0 locomotive was Edward Thompson's most enduring design. Built from 1942-1952, the class totalled 410 examples and was a familiar sight across former London & North Eastern Railway territory. Thompson's B1s presents many of the engines at work in the LNER and BR periods through 230 excellent colour and black and white images. The locomotives are pictured at locations such as: York, Newcastle, Darlington, Doncaster, Colchester, Grantham, King's Cross, Marylebone, Neasden, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Leicester, Hull, Fort William, Aberdeen, etc. The photographs, which have been taken at stations, sheds, lineside and workshops, are accompanied by well-researched and informative captions. Thompson's B1s celebrates the importance of the class in the history of the LNER and steam traction in Britain.

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Book SynopsisThe London & North Eastern Railway existed from 1923-1947 and presided over one of the most exiting periods in British railway history. From the non-stop ‘Flying Scotsman’ to ‘Silver Jubilee’, ‘Coronation’ and ‘West Riding Limited’ streamlined trains, the company was continually innovating and received accolades as a result. Particularly noteworthy were the LNER’s locomotives, designed by H.N. Gresley (later Sir), with world-renowned designs, such as the A1/A3 Class Pacific – no. 4472 Flying Scotsman – A4 Class – no. 4468 Mallard – and P2 Class 2-8-2 – no. 2001 Cock o’ the North. The Glorious Years of the LNER explores the period through over 400 superb colour and black-and-white images and informative captions. Divided into several sections, the book looks at locomotives, carriages, wagons and road vehicles. The LNER was organised into three areas: Southern (GC, GN and GE), North Eastern (NER) and Scottish (NBR, GNSR). Pictures included are taken at several locations within these, and are on main lines from London to Scotland (Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow), London to Sheffield and Manchester, and London to Ipswich and Norwich, with cross-country routes from Grimsby to Manchester, Cheshire Lines Committee undertakings between Manchester, Liverpool and Chester, as well as the Waverley route from Carlisle to Edinburgh, not forgetting the ‘West Highland’ line from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig. Many of Gresley’s locomotives are included – A1/A3, A4, B17, D49, P2, V1, V2, W1 – in addition to his carriages and wagons, whilst many of the constituent companies’ engines also feature, such as those of H.A. Ivatt, Sir Vincent Raven, J.G. Robinson and S.D. Holden. The images are taken from the lineside, at sheds, stations and workshops. The Glorious Years of the LNER celebrates the company as one of the most prestigious and innovative of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies.

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Book SynopsisGresley's D49s follows the career of this important class which ran in service between 1927 and 1961. Introduced by the London & North Eastern Railway for intermediate passenger trains, the engines were designed by the world-renowned locomotive designer Sir Nigel Gresley. Some of the class members featured poppet valves with rotary cam valve gear. This offered improvements over conventional piston valves. The D49s were employed in the North East of England and Scotland and the engines are pictured at a number of locations in these areas, such as stations, sheds, from the lineside, as well as workshops. The images span both the LNER period and British Railways ownership and consist of nearly 200 high quality colour and black-and-white photographs. A large number of the 76 class members are included in both eras. One D49 4-4-0 has been preserved and is at present under overhaul. Whilst this occurs, this collection can serve as an interesting reminder of the D49s and a distant era well worth remembering.

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Book SynopsisIn 2023, one hundred years have passed from the dissolution of the Great Northern Railway. Formed in the mid-1840s, the company was instrumental in connecting London with the eastern half of England, the North East and Scotland. Later, the GNR made inroads into other parts of the country, such as Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire. The GNR successfully served the population for nearly a century and was able to innovate in several areas, with developments in locomotive design, carriage construction and services offered. The Glorious Years of the GNR presents several of these areas of the company using over 250 superb black-and-white images, coupled with interesting and informative captions. Boasting several world-renowned engineers, the locomotives of Archibald Sturrock, Patrick Stirling, H.A. Ivatt and H.N. Gresley (later Sir) are featured in various scenes from across the GNR’s network. The company’s coaching stock is also presented, ranging from E.F. Howlden’s six-wheelers to 12-wheel clerestory vehicles and Gresley’s articulated suburban and main line trains. Arguably, Doncaster was the most important place on the GNR, therefore a focus has been placed on the town’s workshops. A number of interesting scenes are included showing the workforce, construction of the Crimpsall Repair Shop, as well as women war workers during the Great War. A small section is dedicated to the GNR’s stations, which ranged from the grand terminus at King’s Cross to humble buildings serving small villages. A number of these have been lost subsequently. Often with staff posing happily for the camera, the stations recall a time when a high standard of service was expected and offered rather than the cost saving and utilitarian facilities of the present. In an era before the motor car, when the world was horse-drawn and steam powered, the GNR was part of a ‘golden age’ of British history. The centenary of the company’s demise provides a welcome opportunity to reflect on this distant, yet great period. A superb edition with over 250 outstanding photographs and thoroughly researched, informative captions. Beautifully produced in hardback with rare and previously unseen images

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Book SynopsisOne of the first areas to see the end of steam was the East of England – around 120 years after the first steam locomotives ran. Over this period, a rich history was developed through the construction of the various routes, the engines used and services offered. East of England Steam 1948-1963 examines the last years of steam in the region using over 200 excellent colour and black-and-white images from a number of sources. With an area over 7,000 square miles, the East of England region consists Bedfordshire; Cambridgeshire; Essex; Hertfordshire; Huntingdonshire; Norfolk; Suffolk. Some of the towns and cities incorporated in the area are: Norwich; Ipswich; Colchester; Cambridge; Peterborough; Bedford; Yarmouth; Ely; King’s Lynn; Lowestoft; March. The East Coast Main Line bordered the region in the west, whilst the two primary routes left Liverpool Street, London, to Ipswich, Norwich and the coast, and Cambridge, Ely and King’s Lynn. Being a predominantly rural area, there were several branch lines, many of which no longer exist. Great Eastern Railway locomotive classes are featured: B12; D16/3; E4; F4; F5; F6; J15; J17; J19; J20; N7. Also included are Gresley’s B17s, K3s and J39s, as well as Thompson’s B1/B2 and L1. Under British Railway many of the new Standard Class 7 ‘Britannia’ Pacifics took over on the main line expresses and boat trains and these are present. The Midland & Great Northern Joint Line benefitted from the introduction of Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0s during the final decade of the route’s existence. The locomotives are pictured at stations, junctions, points from the lineside and sheds, both large and small. East of England Steam 1948-1963 shows the railways enjoying their final years in an almost forgotten time of English history.

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Book SynopsisSir William A. Stanier’s ‘Jubilee’ 5XP 4-6-0 Class served as the backbone of passenger services for the London Midland & Scottish Railway – as well as the successor London Midland Region of British Railways – for a number of years. Despite initial design flaws, the class went on to be well-liked by enginemen and enthusiasts alike. Stanier’s Jubilees follows the career of this 191-locomotive class from their introduction in 1934 to withdrawal in 1967. A number are featured during the LMSR period, whilst many are seen during the British Railways years. The engines are featured in over 200 excellent colour and black-and-white images. A wide area was worked by the Jubilee Class, ranging from the West Coast Main Line to the Midland Main Line, Glasgow-Perth-Aberdeen route and cross-country from York to Liverpool, in addition to Leeds-Bristol. The images included have been taken at stations, sheds, lineside and workshops. Accompanying the pictures are informative captions detailing the locomotive’s history, as well as other interesting details. Four locomotives were preserved following withdrawal at the end of steam and three are in steam at present. Hopefully, they will continue to be so and honour their fallen class mates, many of which are remembered here in this collection.

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Book SynopsisA superb edition with over 230 outstanding photographs and thoroughly researched, informative captions.Beautifully produced in hardback with rare and previously unseen images.

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Book SynopsisA superb edition with over 160 outstanding photographs and thoroughly researched, informative captions. Beautifully produced in hardback with rare and previously unseen images.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisIn the mid-nineteenth century, the great age of railway building, Charles Dickens could not but be aware of their transformative impact on society. So he wrote about it - to a remarkable extent. He wrote a classic ghost story, 'The Signalman'; in Dombey and Son about what is now the West Coast Main Line being carved through north London in great ravines. He wrote satirical pieces about railway catering - even back then; about the wonder of express train travel to the Channel ports; travel pieces about exploring America by train - and about being personally involved in the notorious Staplehurst train crash in Kent. Now, in the year of Dickens' 150th anniversary, Tony Williams, a distinguished Dickens scholar, collects all these railway writings into a handsome little volume ideal for a long train journey...

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Book SynopsisNew York City subways – the century-old transit system has survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and Hurricane Sandy. It and the millions of citizens that rely on it as their daily lifeline will also survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Subwaygram captures mobile phone street portraits of the diverse community of riders two years before and two years after the first case was confirmed in New York City and the commonalities in the fleeting moments of their journeys.Trade Review"Chris Maliwat describes the New York subway as the first slot in a pinball machine. “Whenever I head down there, I know it’s going to be a mini adventure, like I’m about to be launched into the world,” he says. “I saw this woman waiting at Metropolitan Avenue/Grand Street station and wondered which world she was about to shoot out into. Are there people like her where she’s going? Is she headed to her tribe? I think so. Everyone finds their tribe in New York – that’s why people come here.”"-The Guardian, December 3, 2022."I was (and continue to be) intrigued by the breadth of this project, and the empathetic lens through which he recorded his subjects. "Lenscratch, November 18, 2022

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Book SynopsisIt’s about the journey, not the destination.All Aboard—first published in 1995, and here revised and updated—is much more than just a mile-by-mile scenery guide for train travelers. Written both for veteran train travelers and those considering their first rail journey, it will keep any trip on track with its insightful travel trips and information about how railroads operate. All Aboard presents how and why the first railroads came about, describes the building of America’s trans-continental railroad, and explains how individual trains are operated. Railway expert Jim Loomis also offers advice that can only come from a veteran traveler: booking trips, finding the lowest fares, avoiding pitfalls, packing for an overnight trip, what to do on board, whom to tip and how much.This new, fifth edition includes up-to-date information on new high-speed rail projects in California, Texas, and Florida, new trains on the Copper Canyon route in Mexico, current reports on the legal disputes between freight railroads and Amtrak, and much, much more.All Aboard is the ultimate guide to American train travel and its unique history and culture.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword: Rediscovering the Train 1 Why Take a Train? 2 How It All Began 3 Amtrak to the Rescue 4 Planning Your Own Train Trip 5 Packing and Last-Minute Details 6 Life Onboard 7 Who's in Charge Here? 8 When Things Go Wrong 9 Coaches, Sleepers, Dining Cars, and More 10 How It All Works 11 What About All Those Freight Trains? 12 Safety Is Priority Number One 13 Taking the Train in Canada 14 Mexico's Copper Canyon Train 15 Ten Great Railway Stations 16 Will There Be Trains in Our Future? Appendix A: Pick a Train, Any Train Appendix B: Some Suggested Itineraries Appendix C: Railroad Terms and Slang Appendix D: How to Find a Rail-Savvy Travel Agent Appendix E: Passenger Rail Advocates Appendix F: Excursion Trains and Railroad Museums Index

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