Network North West: Images of a Changing Railway

Description

The North-West of England is a diverse and fascinating part of the country with a varied landscape. This area was once the powerhouse of the industrial revolution, and was the location for the World's first true 'Intercity' railway, spawning a complex network of routes that served the various towns which were once hives of industry. The famous coastal resorts-Southport, Blackpool, and Morecambe were all products of the railway age, when a day trip to the seaside broke the monotony of the daily grind. However, areas and times change-heavy industry was on the wane by the late 1960s, and the last of the Lancashire Collieries disappeared in the early 1990s, reflecting the decline of traditional industries nationwide. The North-West railway network has adapted, becoming a predominantly passenger railway, with busy commuter services feeding Liverpool and Manchester daily. This book chronicles many of the changes since the late 1970s, including scenes, routes, and rolling stock that have altered beyond recognition.

An avid railway enthusiast for many years, Martyn Hilbert has spent much time and effort recording the UK railway network from the 1970s to the present day. This has resulted in a large photographic archive, backed up by detailed records and notes that chronicle the many changes that the railway system has undergone in the last forty years. Still active with the camera and recording the current scene before it all becomes history, 'Network North West-Images of a Changing Railway' is his second book published by Fonthill Media.