Description
Book SynopsisStep back in time to the golden age of railways. This is the story of Gloucestershire’s once-thriving rail network; a network of passenger and freight lines that criss-crossed the county at the turn of the 20th century. The first long-distance main line to arrive in the county was the Birmingham & Gloucester which opened in 1840. This was soon followed by the Swindon via Stroud and the Bristol to Gloucester lines, and in 1851 the South Wales Railway between Gloucester, Chepstow and Newport was opened. These main lines are still with us today, but what of the other 250 miles of lines that were built with hope and enthusiasm? In this meticulously researched book, Stan Yorke brings to life the county's railways and describes the reasons for their construction and for their subsequent closure. Modern photographs accompany those from earlier times. These, together with specially drawn maps, will help the enthusiast to explore some of the old lines and stations that have survived.
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Notes on the maps; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Northern Wanderings Ashchurch-Malvern Ashchurch-Evesham; 2. Gloucester Two stations, two gauges, two companies and docks everywhere 3. Forest of Dean Lines around Cinderford Lines around Coleford The Dean Forest Railway 4. Gloucester's Western Links Gloucester-Ledbury: 'The Daffodil Line' Gloucester-Ross on Wye 5. Branches around the Forest's Edge Monmouth-Ross on Wye Monmouth-Chepstow 6. Cheltenham's Long Lost Links, Part 1 Cheltenham-Stratford on Avon The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Moreton to Shipston: the branch that time forgot 7. Cheltenham's Long Lost Links, Part 2 Cheltenham-Banbury Cheltenham-Swindon (MSWJ) Leckhampton Quarries 8. Southern Twigs Kemble-Cirencester Kemble-Tetbury The Fairford branch 9. The Midland Railway's Branches The Nailsworth branch The Stroud branch The Dursley branch Sharpness and the Severn Bridge The Thornbury branch Conclusion Opening and Final Closure Dates Bibliography Index
