This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which the Midland & South Western Junction Railway changed and developed over time.
James Drake's 'Drake's Road Book of the Grand Junction Railway from Birmingham to Liverpool and Manchester' is a comprehensive guide to the newest mode of transportation in the early 19th century. The book not only provides practical information for travelers, such as distances and landmarks along the railway route, but also includes detailed descriptions of the towns and cities connected by the railway. Drake's writing style is straightforward and informative, catering to the practical needs of travelers. This book is a valuable resource for understanding the impact of the railway on society and commerce during the Industrial Revolution. Drake's detailed observations and meticulous descriptions offer a glimpse into the rapidly changing landscape of Britain in the 19th century. Historians and enthusiasts of railway history will find this book an essential addition to their collection. James Drake's expertise as a cartographer and travel writer is evident in this meticulously researched and well-presented guide, making it a must-read for those interested in the history of transportation and urban development.
As with many other counties, the railway network of Hampshire has diminished to a shadow of its former size over the last two generations. It was not simply the effects of the famous Beeching report that rendered the various routes extinct, but also the actions of the operators themselves. They had already begun to take measures to reduce the number of lines operating, with closures taking place in almost every decade from the 1910s through to the 1970s. As a result of these changes, Hampshire now boasts an impressive network of closed lines, most of which are covered within this book, with stunning vistas capturing their final days as moribund railways. This new album takes readers on a lovely journey back to a time within living memory when the last vestiges of a larger network were still in existence. Compiled by well-known railway historian Jeffery Grayer, this book will be essential reading for all enthusiasts.