Scotland’s lost branch lines – Where Beeching got it wrong

By David Spaven THE author has built up a considerable reputation for himself as a writer in recent years, with impeccable accuracy and insight into the railways of Scotland, most notably with regard to the closure and subsequent reopening of the Waverley/ Borders Line. This is his latest presentation and

is of equal high quality, showing a great depth of knowledge of how railways operated prior to the 1960s Beeching Report, and how it could have been possible to keep lines open and within budget.

Twelve lines around Scotland are considered in detail, setting out their histories and reasons put forward by Beeching for closure. With hindsight, it is clear that modern practices, if they had been around in the Sixties, could have saved many lines – especially with regard to the number of employees required to operate the railways. One question it raises is how many of these lines could yet be reopened? The success of the Borders Railway has encouraged other groups to push for their local lines. Eighty-nine passenger stations have opened/reopened in Scotland since 1970, and David considers in detail further towns in Scotland that would benefit with a return to the rail network.

An appendix listing all passenger route closures since the 1923 Grouping is a very useful resource. This is an excellent book and is highly recommended. AB Published by Origin birlinn.co.uk

298 pages, hardback. £30