Geoffrey Lloyd continues this series of pocket books exploring Wales's railway heritage, each revealing one of the nation's "lost lines." The closure of many of these lines has had significant and lasting impact, and the recovery of some routes is of public relevance and a source of debate today. The Heads of The Valleys line served the communities of Methyr, Tredegar, and Abergavenny dating back to 1860, linking the area to major population centers around south Wales and the rest of the UK on a dramatic route of curves, steep gradients, tunnels, and viaducts. The line was finally closed in 1958. The history and social background of the railway and its passengers during this period is explored station by station and brought vividly to life through extensive research and archive photography, some of which has never been published before. These portable guides are suitable for the transport historian as well as being accessible to the general reader, and richly document this essential aspect of British heritage.

Take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed line of the Vale of Neath. Includes an essay on the history of the line and photographs of its locomotives, trains and stations. Explore the line station-by-station as the history, heritage and social background of the railway and its passengers is brought to life using archive photography, some of which has never been published before.

"How Green Was My Valley" is Richard Llewellyn's bestselling -- and timeless -- classic and the basis of a beloved film. As Huw Morgan is about to leave home forever, he reminisces about the golden days of his youth when South Wales still prospered, when coal dust had not yet blackened the valley. Drawn simply and lovingly, with a crisp Welsh humor, Llewellyn's characters fight, love, laugh and cry, creating an indelible portrait of a people.

Travelling at a leisurely pace, Jack Thurston explores Wales and the border counties taking in mountain summits, enchanted woodlands, wild seashores, shimmering lakes, and ancient ways. 36 specially selected rides are presented with downloadable information.

Take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed line from Abergavenny to Merthyr. This was one of the steepest gradients in Britain, offering spectacular views of mountains and gorges as it meandered across the wind-swept heads of the south Wales Valleys. The line was also built to capitalise on the rich coal mining and ironworks that sprang up during the Industrial Revolution, the birthplace of the railways that became famous throughout the world. Includes an essay on the history of the line and fascinating photography of its locomotives, trains and stations.

A WWII-era Welsh barmaid begins a secret relationship with a German POW in this “beautiful” novel by the author of A Lie Someone Told You About Yourself (Ann Patchett). Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize Set in the stunning landscape of North Wales just after D-Day, this critically acclaimed debut novel traces the intersection of disparate lives in wartime. When a prisoner-of-war camp is established near her village, seventeen-year-old barmaid Esther Evans finds herself strangely drawn to the camp and its forlorn captives. She is exploring the camp boundary when an astonishing thing occurs: A young German corporal calls out to her from behind the fence. From that moment on, the two begin an unlikely—and perilous—romance. Meanwhile, a German-Jewish interrogator travels to Wales to investigate Britain’s most notorious Nazi prisoner, Rudolf Hess. In this richly drawn and thought-provoking “tour de force,” all will come to question the meaning of love, family, loyalty, and national identity (The New Yorker). “If you loved The English Patient, there’s probably a place in your heart for The Welsh Girl.” —USA Today “Davies’s characters are marvelously nuanced.” —Los Angeles Times “Beautifully conjures a place and its people, in an extraordinary time . . . A rare gem.” —Claire Messud, author of The Woman Upstairs “This first novel by Davies, author of two highly praised short story collections, has been anticipated—and, with its wonderfully drawn characters, it has been worth the wait.” —Booklist, starred review

Take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed line between Chester and Holyhead. Includes an essay on the history of the line and photographs of its locomotives, trains and stations. Explore the line station-by-station as the history, heritage and social background of the railway and its passengers is brought to life using archive photography, some of which has never been published before.