Immortal Rails - Volume 1
The Story of the Closure and Revival of the Festiniog Railway 1939-1983
Opened in 1836, the Ffestiniog Railway made a considerable impact on the British railway scene during the 19th century. It was closed in August 1946, destined never to reopen, and lay in a derelict state for the next eight years, with nature gradually reclaiming the trackbed. The inability of the Ministry of Transport to make an Abandonment Order provided the opportunity for a group of enthusiasts to contemplate taking over the Railway.
The book relates the fascinating story of how the Ffestiniog Railway came to be closed, how it was rescued from the scrapman's torch and its triumphant return, against enormous odds, to Blaenau Ffestiniog and its former glory.
Although there have been several other accounts over the years, the author has had access to material not previously published or made available, the result being a detailed two volume record of the closure and revival of the Railway.
The result is a totally fresh and readable account of the Ffestiniog Railway Society, the Festiniog Railway Company and the pioneers who made it all
possible. The involvement of the Railway Inspectorate is also related in detail, a subject that is usually neglected.
Hardback with dust jacket, 224 pages, black & white and colour photographs, maps in endpapers
Condition: Very Good
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ISBN: 9781900622080
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Updated: 2 January 2025