The original Great Western Railway was the longest-lived mainline railway company in Great Britain and has attracted generations of admirers over its 112 years of existence. The reasons are manifold - for example, the unparalleled civil engineering feats of Brunel, the handsome locomotives with their copper-capped chimneys and brass safety valve bonnets and nameplates coupled with their superior efficiency and performance designed some 25 years in advance of rival companies and its attractive holiday/leisure destinations such as London, Bath, the Thames Valley, Cotswolds, Cambrian Coast and West Country. It was a much-loved railway company with its own individuality, determined to be different from the others. The result was a unique style which this book aims to portray.

Overnight settlements, better known as 'Hell on Wheels, ' sprang up as the transcontinental railroad crossed Nebraska and Wyoming. They brought opportunity not only for legitimate business but also for gamblers, land speculators, prostitutes, and thugs. Dick Kreck tells their stories along with the heroic individuals who managed, finally, to create permanent towns in the interior West

In this second and final volume, the whole of the East Coast Main Line between King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley stations is examined closely, with a particular emphasis on the ways and structures: the line, stations, connections, yards, and other physical features. Interposed are accounts of the traffic at the principal stations (including connecting and branch line services) with observations on changes over the period 1939 to 1959. Some emphasis is placed on freight traffic on account of its importance and, perhaps, its relative unfamiliarity to the reader. The lines, stations, and many other elements are described as they were in August 1939, but as some plans on which they are based are dated before the late 1930s, there may be marginal differences from the precise layout in 1939.

Join Thomas as he travels around meeting his friends, both old and new! This colourful chunky board book introduces the brand-new younger Thomas style. With cute artwork and simple text in a chunky board that's the perfect size for small hands, this is the perfect gift for young Thomas & Friends fans. Children will also love joining in saying Thomas' name, pointing to his number 1 and making fun engine noises, too. Thomas has been teaching children lessons about life and friendship for over 75 years. He ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage.

'A delightful book ... the perfect companion as you wait for the 8.10 from Hove' Observer After the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, many railways were gradually shut down. Rural communities were isolated and steam trains slowly gave way to diesel and electric traction. But some people were not prepared to let the romance of train travel die. Thanks to their efforts, many lines passed into community ownership and are now booming with new armies of dedicated volunteers. Andrew Martin meets these volunteer enthusiasts, finding out just what it is about preserved railways that makes people so devoted. From the inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine to John Betjeman's battle against encroaching modernity, Steam Trains Today will take you on a heart-warming journey across Britain from Aviemore to Epping.

Experience the world by train alongside best-selling travel writer Tom Chesshyre, as he takes a whistle-stop tour around the globe in 49 unique journeys Why do people love trains so much? Tom Chesshyre is on a mission to find the answer by experiencing the world through train travel - on both epic and everyday rail routes, aboard every type of ride, from steam locomotives to bullet trains, meeting a cast of memorable characters who share a passion for train travel. Join him on the rails and off the beaten track as he embarks on an exhilarating whistle-stop tour around the globe, on journeys on celebrated trains and railways including: India's famed toy train Sri Lanka's Reunification Express The Indian Pacific across the Australian outback The Shanghai maglev And the picturesque rail journeys of the Scottish Highlands Plus trains through Kosovo, North Macedonia, Turkey, Iran, Finland, Russia, America and France, with short interludes in North Korea, Italy, Poland, Peru, Switzerland, England and Lithuania. All aboard!

Today, Sussex is best-known to railway aficionados as the home of the Bluebell Line, Great Britain's first preserved standard gauge passenger-carrying railway, but at one time the sound of steam could be heard across the county. Many main line routes had been electrified in the 1930s but only the passenger services were affected and, well into the BR era, steam traction continued unchallenged on a variety of tasks, ranging from Bulleid Pacifics on long distance inter-regional expresses to diminutive LBSCR 'Terriers' pottering around on menial shunting duties. Some distinctive designs, such as the elegant Billinton K Class 'Moguls', were closely associated with Sussex and gave the county a special identity. Using some of the most evocative images available this album vividly recalls the closing years of steam in this much-loved county.

This new book is a personal reminiscence by retired railwayman John C Morgan, who has put together the very best of his own collection of stunning colour photographs to portray the life and times of the Southern Railway. At a time when the railway scene was changing forever, John was out and about around the network capturing all those changes on film - whether it is steam, diesel or electric, the result is a veritable feast of colour railway nostalgia

This lavish photographic history of the most beautiful and historic railway stations in London tells a story of power, progress and innovation, from the beginning of steam age to the teeming commuter hubs of today. London has more mainline railway stations than any other city in the world and many of them are amongst its grandest architectural monuments. Its earliest terminals opened in the late 1830s when lines between the capital and the regions were built in the first railway boom. The original station at London Bridge, the capital's first passenger terminus, was opened in December 1836, six months before Queen Victoria came to the throne. The last main line to London, the Great Central Railway to Marylebone, was opened in March 1899, two years before Victoria died. Ever since they originally opened, these stations have been at heart of London life and activity and have dominated the architectural landscape. Many are now in the midst of major reconstructions and are the centrepieces for the transformation of whole swathes of London, from Paddington to King's Cross. This comprehensive story combines a historical overview, archive illustrations and specially commissioned photography, covering the origins of the earliest stations up to the latest reconstructions and renovations. Written by the expert author Oliver Green, this is an essential gift for anyone interested in the history of London and its transport.

Paul Theroux, the author of the train travel classics The Great Railway Bazaar and The Old Patagonian Express, takes to the rails once again in this account of his epic journey through China. He hops aboard as part of a tour group in London and sets out for China's border. He then spends a year traversing the country, where he pieces together a fascinating snapshot of a unique moment in history. From the barren deserts of Xinjiang to the ice forests of Manchuria, from the dense metropolises of Shanghai, Beijing, and Canton to the dry hills of Tibet, Theroux offers an unforgettable portrait of a magnificent land and an extraordinary people.

* Fifty Railways that Changed the Course of History is a fascinating and beautifully presented guide to the train lines and rail companies that have had the greatest impact on modern civilization. * Entries range from the Metropolitan Line of the London Underground, the world's first underground railway, to the Pacific Railroad, the first transcontinental railroad in North America. * In order to justify the assertion that they literally 'changed the course of history,' each railway is judged by its influence in five categories: Engineering, Society, commerce, Politics, and Military.

Lancashire could be described as a county of marked contrasts: from the back-to-back terraced houses which typify some of its towns to the beautiful scenery of the southern Lake District. The county which saw the birth of Britain's first passenger-carrying railway between Liverpool and Manchester in September 1830 also saw the death throes of steam locomotive working from the last three standard gauge depots on British Railways in 1968. Using the best available colour images, this album looks back at the last decade of steam operation in Lancashire, a time which holds a special place in the affections of steam enthusiasts throughout the country.

Whether you are making a long grand tour or just planning a couple of weekend breaks, Europe by Rail is the perfect guide. The book describes 50 key routes in detail. Together, they span mainland Europe and the British Isles. Each route can be followed in its entirety or used as a building block in a longer itinerary. Beyond the main routes you will find worthwhile excursions well off the beaten track. Written by two highly experienced travellers, Europe by Rail contains useful tips about how to plan your journey, what tickets to buy and where to stop off along the way. There are special sections for holders of rail passes, including Interrail and Eurail, as well as information on night trains. The country guide summarizes key information about travelling by train through each of the four dozen countries listed. Apart from being full of good advice and up-to-date information, Europe by Rail is also a great read. With its nicely opinionated style and lots of cameo accounts of travel history, there's plenty here for armchair travellers too. Now in its 17th edition, Europe by Rail really is the definitive guide on how to get the very best out of Europe’s excellent rail network.