RAILWAYS IN NORTH AND MID WALES

The railways that feature here from the years between 1980 and 2000 are the North Wales Coast Line and its branches between Chester and Holyhead, the Cambrian Line from Welshpool to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, and the Welsh section of the Shrewsbury to Chester Line. 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 to Barmouth Line also feature, as does the Vale of Rheidol Railway sold into private ownership in 1989. The coastal and mountain scenery around these railways are among the best in Britain, recorded here by Peter J. Green's cameras during his many visits, together with photographs from earlier years to help complete the picture. It was a period when much mechanical signalling and old station buildings still remained, and the motive power and nature of the trains have also changed significantly over the years and while all of this is to the benefit of the traveller, it has also made the railway more standardised. 'Nowadays, most of my visits to Wales are to view, photograph, and travel on the many excellent narrow gauge railways.' Green begins with a map of the passenger lines and then page after page of extra large quality archive photographs in black and white with extended captions, two images to each page with descriptions of the livery, coach numbers and even a signal box which was demolished approximately a week after the photo was taken in March 2000. One special example passes the walls of Conway Castle as it heads to Crewe, and another is viewed from above Bangor Tunnel, an identified Class 47. For true enthusiasts, 141 huge glossy pages, 28.7 x 22.4cm. March 2022 publication, Pen & Sword.