Widely known as England's most scenic line, the enduring Settle & Carlisle Railway was built by the Midland between 1869 and 1876, as part of its quest to forge its own, independent route to Scotland. It is, uniquely for a railway in the UK, a Conservation Area in its own right - viaducts, tunnels, bridges, stations, trackside structures and railway workers' cottages. By walking all or parts of the route from Settle to Carlisle, you get the chance to get up close to the railway's magnificent architecture - but also to see the lonely and lofty fells, and stunning scenery from the Dales through the Pennines to the limestone pavements of Westmorland and the green Eden Valley. In the company of this knowledgeable guide, you'll also discover centuries' worth of local history and traditions: Roman remains, medieval castles, and the Romany who still meet at the annual Appleby Horse Fair gathering.

This title deals with the fascination and excitement of world railway history, from Stephenson's Rocket to the modern age. With splendid illustrations and a sparkling narrative, it charters the fundamental stages and main events of railway history, from the birth of steam locomotion to modern high-speed trains. Divided into six sections, each chapter documents a significant period in the development of the railways and tells the stories of the key men, inventions, challenge and technological breakthroughs. 250 colour photographs

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.

Southern Way No 27 will be available in July 2014. Our ever-popular mix of steam / electric / history / reminiscences as well as the usual features abound and will delight all enthusiasts of the Southern Region. This issue concentrates on infrastructure, stations, yards and civil engineering, subjects we know from our postbag are ever popular especially with the modeller. Look out then for a veritable feast in both colour and black and white.

Looking for a sustainable and stress-free way to explore Europe? Hop on board the continent's railway network with this ultimate guide to train travel. Whether you want to take it slow on the scenic route or make the most of the newest high-speed services to get straight to your destination, Lonely Planet's experts show you how to plan your journey. Packed with detailed gatefold route maps and insider tips, we cover everything from how to piece together a long-distance trip to the must-see stops and best ways to book value-for-money tickets. As airlines cut back flights and airfares rise, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the increasing overnight services and flexible fares being offered. We also reveal the quirks of different operators and countries, such as luggage allowances, rules and regulations, and what facilities are on board. If you're looking for a more eco-friendly, convenient - and sometimes quicker - way to get from A to B as you travel throughout the continent, Lonely Planet's Guide to Train Travel in Europe will equip you to make the most of your time and budget. high-speed services in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Spain scenic local routes in key countries including the UK and Scandinavia sleeper and long-distance services across the continent About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.

Mysterious ghost stations forgotten beneath the cities of Paris and London; desolate grand rail hubs in the Pyrenean mountains; metro stations in China that terminate in a wasteland; Abandoned Train Stations looks at some of the thousands of disused station buildings, platforms, lines, tunnels, and rail yards left behind by modernity. Organised by continent, this book takes the reader to every corner of the globe. Explore Canfranc International Railway Station, once a busy mountain hub of international travel between France and Spain; see the eerily empty platform at Kings Cross Thameslink, London, today a service tunnel following the station's closure in the early 2000s; examine the grandiose Michigan Central Train Station in Detroit, an historic Amtrak rail depot, and once the tallest rail station in the world; marvel at the dusty, overgrown shell of Abkhazia's once beautiful railway station in Psyrtskha, a physical legacy of the former Soviet era in the Caucasus; see the disused Tiwanaku train station, situated almost 4,000 metres above sea level in the Bolivian Andes; or learn about the fascinating Istvantelek Train Yard, in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, better known as the 'Red Star train graveyard' because of its many Soviet-era engine wrecks. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs, Abandoned Train Stations provides a fascinating pictorial journey through the little-known remnants of rail transport infrastructure from every part of the world.

For 65 years Bowater's paper mills in Kent were served by an extensive 2ft 6in gauge railway system. This connected the original mill at Sittingbourne with the large mill at Kemsley and a private dock at Ridham. Thousands of tons of coal, china clay, recycled paper, wood pulp, logs and finished paper were hauled by a total of sixteen narrow gauge and three standard gauge locos, in a twenty four hour operation to keep the mills running. However, with the dawn of modernisation in 1969 a portion of the route and stock soon became the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway. Within this bright new volume renowned enthusiast and model maker, Dave Hammersley presents a nostalgic glimpse of the railway in Bowater's days, when the line was well-maintained and working round the clock. Steam locomotives appear around every corner, surrounded by dramatic industrial landscapes. Each of the engines is pictured alongside a concise description, finally concluding with a brief look at the first year of preservation. An entertaining read and a snapshot of an important moment in railway history, this book is a must have for railway enthusiasts nationwide!