Lost Railways of Gloucestershire
In the heyday of the railway age Gloucestershire had a bustling railway network. Many thriving industries including farming, quarrying, coal and iron mining, and timber production for the shipbuilding and charcoal industries depended on the railways.
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?
These rural lines were vital to the development of local industry and communities but sadly, as motorised transport became more accessible, lines began to close, first to passengers and then to freight. Further closures took place as a result of the Beeching report in 1963. Little remains of these rural lines but, thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of preservation societies, some can still be seen today.
In this well 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.
Softback, 160 pages, black & white photographs, maps
Condition: Good/Very Good
ISBN: 9781846741630
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Updated: 2 January 2025