From the author of the acclaimed Britain from the Rails, an entertaining armchair read and practical guide rolled into one. Engaging, eccentric, informative, inspirational and only very occasionally trainspotter-ish, Scotland from the Rails is the perfect guide to some of the most romantic rail journeys not just in Scotland but the world. Scotland's rail network boasts the highest mainline summits in Britain; the longest bridge; the longest and boldest spans; the most famous railway bridge of all (the Harry Potter one); as well as some of the friendliest staff and the most lovely - and downright quirky - station buildings, many lovingly maintained or restored. And for icing on the cake, or rather cream on the Cranachan, some utterly charming and fascinating preserved lines, steam centres and luxury excursion trains which cruise through this magnificent land. From the East Coast to the Great North, the West Highland Line to the Skye Railway, let expert rail enthusiast Ben le Vay be your guide to the best of Scotland's rail journeys. Perfect for train buffs, Scotland buffs, history buffs and trivia buffs, Scotland from the Rails is also the ideal book for anyone whose idea of heaven is sit back on a train and gaze out of the window.

Cambridge is a popular city for international tourists, keen to take a behind-the-scenes look at this old English university city's people and places. Benedict le Vay reveals hidden secrets and amazing stories of the city's architecture, scandalous stories of the most outrageous dons and, most importantly, how to punt on the River Cam without looking like a complete prat.

Expert railway enthusiast Ben le Vay returns with a new edition of his much-acclaimed guide to discovering Britain from the rails. This latest edition adds new lines and destinations in Britain's fast-changing railway, while updating the guide to the classic greats. Thoroughly updated, it includes a full, fascinating guide to the new Borders Railway in Scotland, plus details of the new route from London to Oxford and expanded coverage of the eccentric Jolly Fisherman line in Lincolnshire and the charming Cotswold line from Oxford to Hereford. Also included are more details of the Far North line from Inverness to Wick and Thurso. 'Now, finally, the network has a book to be proud of!' So said one reviewer of the first edition. Branch lines and 'secret railways' are covered, and so too are the popular routes such as the glorious East Coast main line to Scotland and the Great Western to Penzance. Regional treats include the famed West Highland Line in Scotland, the Settle and Carlisle railway in the north of England, and entire chapters dedicated to 'Wales Rails' and 'East Anglia: A Circular Tour'. Additional information ranges from the practical - such as a guide to the layout of some of the country's main termini - to the 'Inside Track: a window-gazer's guide to stuff to look out for on your journey' and intriguing train trivia. The best historic and preserved railways are also included, as are Ben's Top Ten Rail Journeys. Ben le Vay says: 'There are endless books about trains, about the history of the railways, about stations, signal boxes, carriages, wagons. as specialist as you like. There are also myriad books about British cities and countryside, about what is wonderful and fascinating about different patches of our unique island. But there were none that successfully combined the one type of book with the other (after all, you look at the country while sitting on trains) until now. And this is I do with deep knowledge, love and enthusiasm for both parts.'

Benedict le Vay's latest book Weeping Waters: When Train Meets Volcano is an extraordinary achievement - a meticulously researched and almost forensic reconstruction of one of the 20th century's worst rail disasters - largely forgotten outside New Zealand - that comes up with a convincing new theory as to why the 151 people on that train died. Bringing the people and railways of exactly 60 years ago this Christmas Eve back to life, he works towards the nail-biting crescendo of the Tangiwai disaster ...