Railways in North & Mid Wales in the Late 20th Century

by Peter J Green (hardback, Pen & Sword, 144pp, £25, ISBN: 9781399091220). This volume contains more than 231 photographs, oozing diesels, ‘Sprinters,’‘Pacers’ and other DMUs taken between 1985 and 2000. Featured are North Wales

Coast line and its branches, including Gaerwen Junction to Holyhead and the Amlwch branch, the Cambrian line from Welshpool to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, and the Welsh section of the Shrewsbury to Chester line.

During the period covered by the book, much mechanical signalling and many old station buildings still remained, all adding to the atmosphere.

A few photographs from earlier years are also included to place the lines in context.

The coastal and mountain scenery around the railway lines of North and Mid Wales is among the best in Great Britain. Here we look at the British Railways lines and the trains that ran on them in the years between 1980 and 2000, as recorded by the author’s cameras during his many visits to the area.

While the emphasis is very much on the main lines, the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, closed by British Railways in 1956 and reopened as a heritage railway, and the Llangollen Railway on a section of the former Ruabon-Barmouth line also feature, as does the Vale of Rheidol Railway, sold by British Rail into private ownership in 1989. A few photographs of the steam specials that regularly ran on the main lines are also included.

The latter pages of the book cover heritage lines during the same 15-year period. While it captures only the end of the 20th century, the volume will be enjoyed by many enthusiasts whether they are familiar with these lines or not.

WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY