Forgotten Railways
Since 1930, about two-thirds of Britain's rail- ways (more of Irish) have been closed totally; that does not include many more miles which have lost either passenger or freight services. Nowhere in these islands are you far from a Forgotten Railway. This important book takes a close look at the whole question of Forgotten Railways: what they were like when still active, the actual closure process, how some of them lingered on for a while, and then how they were dismantled, and what remains to be explored.
Here you will find the flavour of a wide selection of lines: the scenery, trains, railway- men, and the people and goods that were carried, and finally how it reflected the local life and changed over a time. There are many stories that those who saw their local railway close will read with familiarity and nostalgia.
In the book's first part, the patterns of change are described, with close-ups on three major periods: 1830-1948, for there have always been some closures; 1948-1962, when the process was accelerated to an extent perhaps now forgotten; and the notorious Beeching period characterised by its planned closure programme.
How resistance to closures built up, and how Mrs Castle's period as Minister of Transport virtually halted them, are dealt with, along with accounts of notable closure battles. A selection of closed main lines, rural branches and urban lines are examined, and the often odd happenings on last days recalled.
The final section covers the physical remains of the forgotten lines, and the uses to which they have been put: not only roads, footpaths, stations turned into dwellings, but for radio astronomy, sewerage works, even a monastery and, happily, re-opening as railways. The wasted potential of closed lines for motor-free footpaths is lamented, though there are examples of successes. The invasions of nature are looked at, the book concluding with a glance into the future.
This is a major work, illustrated with a series of specially-drawn maps, over 130 photographs and a detailed index. Though totally self- contained, it also serves as an overall introduction to the popular regional study series of Forgotten Railways.
Hardback with dust jacket, 19x25cm, 240 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Good - ex lending library with missing end paper
ISBN: 9780946537136
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