The historic trainline connecting Shropshire, England, to the West Coast of Wales is beautifully captured in this volume of photographs. One of the most scenic trainlines in the United Kingdom, the Cambrian Line carries passengers through mountains and market towns, offering views of castles, countryside, and World Heritage sites as it makes its way to the breathtaking Welsh coast. This volume offers a brief history of the Cambrian Railways’ early years, followed by a magnificent and comprehensive set of early photographs of Cambrian engines, Oswestry Works, and sumptuous Welsh scenery. The book is written by British Railways expert David Maidment together with Paul Carpenter, who brings the story of the Cambrian up to date. Carpenter also invites a number of former railwaymen who to share their memories of working on the Cambrian system. The book also covers the efforts of Cambrian Heritage Railways to restore part of the closed section of the line.

At its peak, the South Wales railway network was one of the most complex in the world. Its primary purpose was to transport Coal from source to point of consumption or export via the various docks. To this was added the other raw materials necessary for making Iron and ultimately Steel, together with the respective products of that industry. True, there was no glory in this day to day phenomenon and as a consequence, the area has been poorly represented in the annals of the British railway network. Even that paragon of railway publicity the Great Western, found easier plums to pick elsewhere on its system. However, in addition to the GW, the area was a magnet for the London & North Western, the Midland Railway and not to be forgotten, the 15 indigenous companies. Yet, in terms of traffic, engineering enterprise, operating practices and locomotive types, the area boasted an unequaled variety which this book attempts to reflect. Many of the photographs have not been published before and capture an essence of the variety to be found. The captions contain extensive details to supplement the photographic record enabling a more comprehensive appreciation and understanding of what was involved. It is difficult to appreciate the railway was once a “Common Carrier” obliged to convey any consignment offered. Even though Coal was predominant other traffic, including the more unusual, are also featured; Although of secondary importance in regard to revenue, Passenger services were carefully dovetailed into the intensive freight operation and matched any other location’s provision. After the 1923 Grouping, the GW became the major player in South Wales. It absorbed all 15 of the independent companies and further extended its policy of standardization. Nevertheless, where the smaller companies demonstrated good practices, these were embraced. The L&NW and MR elements became LMSR but still remained far flung tentacles from the parent. All this is recognized here albeit in proportion. The Gallery aims to provide a flavor of what the railways of South Wales had to offer and enlighten the reader as to its major part in the national network.

This unique and important directory incorporates some 3,200 entries. It covers all types and sizes of museums; galleries of paintings, sculpture and photography; and buildings and sites of particular historic interest. It also provides an extensive index listing over 3,200 subjects. The directory covers national collections and major buildings, but also the more unusual, less well-known and local exhibits and sites. The Directory of Museums, Galleries and Buildings of Historic Interest in the United Kingdom is an indispensable reference source for any library, an ideal companion for researcher and enthusiast alike, and an essential purchase for anyone with an interest in the cultural and historical collections of the UK. Features include: * Alphabetically listed entries, which are also indexed by subject for ease of reference * Entries include the name and address of the organization, telephone and fax numbers, email and internet addresses, a point of contact, times of opening and facilities for visitors * A breakdown of the collections held by each organization, giving a broad overview of the main collection as a whole * Details of special collections are provided and include the period covered as well as the number of items held.

This book is a comprehensive history of all the 0-6-0 tender locomotives built by the Great Western Railway or by railways absorbed by the GWR from the very earliest broad gauge engines designed by Daniel Gooch to the Collett 2251 class of the 1930s some of which were still under construction at nationalisation. It includes the Joseph Armstrong ‘Standard Goods’ and the famous Dean Goods, many of which served overseas in the two world wars. The text of 40,000 words describes the design, construction and operation of eight GW and five ‘Absorbed’ broad gauge classes, and thirteen GW and thirteen ‘Absorbed’ standard gauge classes. The book has over 250 black and white and 30 color photos, weight diagrams and drawings.

This book is a comprehensive history of the four coupled tank engines absorbed by the Great Western Railway – locomotives of nine Broad Gauge companies, nineteen Standard Gauge companies, mainly in the South West which became part of the GWR between the 1870s and 1914, and a further eighteen companies, mainly in South Wales absorbed by the GWR in 1922 and 1923 at the formation of the ‘Big Four’ Grouping. The locomotives described and illustrated range from the 4-4-0 Broad Gauge saddle tanks of the South Devon and Bristol & Exeter Railways to the large 4-4-4 tank locomotives of the Midland & South Western Junction Railway, not forgetting the numerous and varied 0-4-0 pug saddle tanks of the Swansea Harbour Trust and the Powlesland & Mason company. The book includes thirty-two weight diagrams and nearly 200 photographs, many of exotic and rare locomotives.

It could be argued that the great Western or 'Gods' Wonderful Railway' was for many years the most famous railway in England. Much of the railway that we see today was the work of one of the greatest engineers of his time, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The company was also served by locomotive engineers such as Gooch, Armstrong, Churchward, Collett and Hawksworth, who produced a series of locomotives that were well designed, elegant and powerful.Serving many holiday resorts of the south west, with trains such as 'The Cornish Riviera Express,' the publicity department exploited to great effect that the 'Great Western' was the 'Holiday Line.' It is probably true to say that in the years before the Second World War the company was producing some of the most effective publicity material in England.Using previously unpublished material from the extensive 'Great Western Trust' collection at Didcot Railway Centre, the book illustrates in both black and white and color many facets that made the Great Western 'Great"

Based upon detailed new research in both Welsh and English archives, Peter Johnson provides a comprehensive illustrated history of the Cambrian Railways - one of the most popular of the pre-Grouping railway companies.