The Railway Experience

Description

Britain is a country in love with its railway past. Nowhere else do the workhorses of the age of steam exert such a pull; in no other country is the nostalgia for the days when the railways extended to every corner of the kingdom so strong. However, the history of station buildings and signal boxes, steam and diesel engines, goods and postal services, main lines and branch lines is only part of the story told here. As a cherished part of Britain's heritage, it is the impact of the railways on a human level that has truly captured our imagination. In more than 50 photographs, many of which are previously unpublished, Paul Atterbury reveals the people who ran, maintained and used them - the people for whom the railways were a way of life.

Paul Atterbury is the author of numerous books on railway topics including Branch Line Britain and Along Lost Lines and has appeared regularly as an expert on the BBC's 'Antiques Roadshow'.

An intriguing and nostalgic read both for those interested in the history of railways in Britain, and for those who simply enjoy a trip down memory lane to the magical Age of Steam locomotives. -- Karen Clare * Family Tree Magazine * By choice it took me a long time to work my way through this superb book, engrossed as I was in the real-world stories that sprang to life from each wonderful page, via the excellent contemporary photographs and the well-written text. I recommend this is as a 'must-read' for any enthusiast of classic transport (and indeed anyone interested in the social history of Britain). -- Kim Henson * Wheels Alive *