RAILWAYS IN NORTH AND MID WALES IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY, by Peter J. Green. Pen and Sword. PRICE: £25.00.

Another Pen and Sword book representing excellent value is this one describing an area of particular

interest to me. Why? Because, as a Cestrian (a native of Chester, where the book starts), the places described are well known to me. Granted, I knew them best over 20 years before the oldest pictures in this volume are described, but I did return to my old haunts, with a camera, during the time described in this work. And, how well-described they are. The places considered extend from Chester in the east, to Llandudno in the north, Holyhead and Pwllheli in the west and Aberystwyth and Devil’s Bridge to the south, with all parts in between. It’s mainly pictorial (all in B&W), with extended, accurate and informative captions. The standard of reproduction is first class, all presented on high-quality stock. Every type of motive power/unit is illustrated, on just about every type of working/service. For modellers

of the period and the area, it’s an absolute must. Sad to say (as with many such works), much of what’s shown has now gone forever. The reason I returned with my camera 40 years ago to the areas described was because much of the signalling (pre-Nationalisation) was still semaphore, with its attendant signal boxes; most now swept away, though a few, isolated examples might still survive. It really is a joy of a book – nostalgic even, to the next generation after me, and I found it thoroughly absorbing. I wonder how many are photographing the same places today. With difficulty, I’d imagine, because what survives is probably hidden

now behind rampant Mother Nature! Recommended.