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Exploring Britain's Lost Railways: A Nostalgic Journey Along 50 Long-Lost Railway Lines
Exploring Britain’s Lost Railways gives the historical background to over 50 lost railway lines, along with descriptions of the route today for walking and cycling.
Each route is highlighted on historical Ordnance Survey mapping, showing which parts can still be followed today. The carefully researched text is accompanied by historical photographs showing each line in operation prior to its closure, as well as specially commissioned images from the present day.
Thousands of miles of Britain’s railways were closed during the 20th century, many following the implementation of the ‘Beeching Report ‘ in the 1960s and early 1970s. Since then, many have been converted to footpaths and cycleways. Fortunately, both the keen walker and the railway enthusiast can enjoy these well-worn routes and hidden byways in peace and tranquillity. Follow the routes of over 50 long-closed railways across some of our most beautiful countryside and discover the lost railways of Britain.
Routes include:
• Drake’s Trail – Plymouth to Tavistock
• Downs Link – Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea
• Midshires Way – Market Harborough to Northampton
• Elan Valley Trail – Rhayader to Craig-Goch Dam
• Hornsea Rail Trail – Hull to Hornsea
• Deeside Way – Aberdeen to Ballater
Exploring Britain’s Lost Railways is an essential armchair companion for every railway enthusiast and outdoor adventurer.
Each route is highlighted on historical Ordnance Survey mapping, showing which parts can still be followed today. The carefully researched text is accompanied by historical photographs showing each line in operation prior to its closure, as well as specially commissioned images from the present day.
Thousands of miles of Britain’s railways were closed during the 20th century, many following the implementation of the ‘Beeching Report ‘ in the 1960s and early 1970s. Since then, many have been converted to footpaths and cycleways. Fortunately, both the keen walker and the railway enthusiast can enjoy these well-worn routes and hidden byways in peace and tranquillity. Follow the routes of over 50 long-closed railways across some of our most beautiful countryside and discover the lost railways of Britain.
Routes include:
• Drake’s Trail – Plymouth to Tavistock
• Downs Link – Guildford to Shoreham-by-Sea
• Midshires Way – Market Harborough to Northampton
• Elan Valley Trail – Rhayader to Craig-Goch Dam
• Hornsea Rail Trail – Hull to Hornsea
• Deeside Way – Aberdeen to Ballater
Exploring Britain’s Lost Railways is an essential armchair companion for every railway enthusiast and outdoor adventurer.
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
55 people want to read
About the author
Julian Holland
85 books1 followerAs a young lad I was surrounded by railways. Across the road from where we lived in Gloucester was the ex-Midland Railway line to Bristol and Birmingham, behind us was the branch line down to Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company’s Works and in the attic was an ‘O’ gauge clockwork railway built by my father. Boy’s books and magazines were awash with railway subjects and the weekly ‘Eagle’ comic with its centrefold cutaway, often a railway subject, was always eagerly awaited. Unlike today, railways then were still an important part of everyday life and the long and complicated journey to our holiday destination each year was pure joy.
I distinctly remember the first time I went trainspotting. Having just passed my 11-plus exam I went on to attend secondary school where many of my classmates, aided by a plethora of Ian Allan books and magazines, had already been bitten by the craze. I was determined that the next Saturday I would catch the bus down to Gloucester Central and Eastgate stations to investigate this phenomenon. I have still got my Sterling No. 3 notebook and a pencil from that portentous day in 1957 when I hung around the stations, taking in the smell of smoke, steam and oil – I was hooked! Penzance, Paddington, Newcastle, Wolverhampton Low Level, Birmingham Snow Hill, Manchester and Sheffield were among the distant and seemingly romantic destinations of the trains that I saw on that day. There was no stopping me and over the next ten years I travelled far and wide, usually in the company of likeminded friends, to nearly every far-flung corner of British Railways in search of that elusive locomotive number or to travel on a soon-to-be-closed line. Even the introduction of those dastardly diesels failed to dampen my enthusiasm!
On leaving school I trained as a graphic designer at the infamous Hornsey College of Art in the late 1960s and went on to work as a designer and art director at several well known London publishing companies. In more recent years I have contributed to many bestselling books on railways and have more recently written Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2008), Discovering Britain’s Little Trains (AA Publishing, 2008), Great Railways of the World (AA Publishing, 2008), The Lost Joy of Railways (David & Charles, 2009), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Railways (Waverley Books, 2009), More Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2010), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Local Lines (Waverley Books, 2010), The Lost Lines of Britain (AA Publishing, 2010), Steaming Across Britain (AA Publishing, 2011), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Trains & Railways (David & Charles, 2011), The Times: Mapping the Railways (co-written with David Spaven - Times Books, 2011), Railway Days Out (AA Publishing, 2012), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Steam Age (David & Charles, 2012), Britain's Scenic Railways (Times Books, 2012), Dr Beeching: 50 Years On (David & Charles, 2013), An A-Z of Famous Express Trains (David & Charles, 2013), Exploring Britain's Lost Railways (Times Books, 2013), Railway Day Trips (Collins, 2014), Great Railway Journeys of the World (Times Books, 2014), History of Britain's Railways (Times Books, 2015), Lost Railway Walks (Collins, 2016).
I distinctly remember the first time I went trainspotting. Having just passed my 11-plus exam I went on to attend secondary school where many of my classmates, aided by a plethora of Ian Allan books and magazines, had already been bitten by the craze. I was determined that the next Saturday I would catch the bus down to Gloucester Central and Eastgate stations to investigate this phenomenon. I have still got my Sterling No. 3 notebook and a pencil from that portentous day in 1957 when I hung around the stations, taking in the smell of smoke, steam and oil – I was hooked! Penzance, Paddington, Newcastle, Wolverhampton Low Level, Birmingham Snow Hill, Manchester and Sheffield were among the distant and seemingly romantic destinations of the trains that I saw on that day. There was no stopping me and over the next ten years I travelled far and wide, usually in the company of likeminded friends, to nearly every far-flung corner of British Railways in search of that elusive locomotive number or to travel on a soon-to-be-closed line. Even the introduction of those dastardly diesels failed to dampen my enthusiasm!
On leaving school I trained as a graphic designer at the infamous Hornsey College of Art in the late 1960s and went on to work as a designer and art director at several well known London publishing companies. In more recent years I have contributed to many bestselling books on railways and have more recently written Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2008), Discovering Britain’s Little Trains (AA Publishing, 2008), Great Railways of the World (AA Publishing, 2008), The Lost Joy of Railways (David & Charles, 2009), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Railways (Waverley Books, 2009), More Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2010), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Local Lines (Waverley Books, 2010), The Lost Lines of Britain (AA Publishing, 2010), Steaming Across Britain (AA Publishing, 2011), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Trains & Railways (David & Charles, 2011), The Times: Mapping the Railways (co-written with David Spaven - Times Books, 2011), Railway Days Out (AA Publishing, 2012), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Steam Age (David & Charles, 2012), Britain's Scenic Railways (Times Books, 2012), Dr Beeching: 50 Years On (David & Charles, 2013), An A-Z of Famous Express Trains (David & Charles, 2013), Exploring Britain's Lost Railways (Times Books, 2013), Railway Day Trips (Collins, 2014), Great Railway Journeys of the World (Times Books, 2014), History of Britain's Railways (Times Books, 2015), Lost Railway Walks (Collins, 2016).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 21, 2019
A glorious wallow in British railway nostalgia via line diagrams set over old Ordnance Survey map extracts enhanced with excellent archive photographs and a pertinent historical text/commentary on exploring the "lost" line today.
Heartily recommended to both railway enthusiasts and walkers (who enjoy level terrain!) plus the scores of Uncles/Aunts/Grandparents who, I am sure, would appreciate the memories brought back through Julian's quality volume.
Heartily recommended to both railway enthusiasts and walkers (who enjoy level terrain!) plus the scores of Uncles/Aunts/Grandparents who, I am sure, would appreciate the memories brought back through Julian's quality volume.
April 7, 2021
Loved this. Well researched history of the lines, beautiful photographs that set ‘then’ against ‘now’ and a real treasure trove of walks and cycle routes to explore around the country. The author has an amiable style that captures images of enjoyment while exploring such paths. A boom I shall ‘store’ in the motorhome to explore such ‘ways’ when enjoying various staycations.
Highly recommended if interested in railways, local and industrial history, walking, cycling or all of them.
Highly recommended if interested in railways, local and industrial history, walking, cycling or all of them.
March 28, 2019
I loved this book. Any urban exploration or historic fact finding really interests me so going over these historic railway routes is fascinating. I actually discovered the Northampton and Lanport Railway from reading this, and I only live 8 miles from there. I have since been to visit and will do try and walk more old lines soon.
August 22, 2022
Good, well researched volume about 50 of Britain's former railways no in use as footpaths and cycleways. Well illustrated with a mix of old and new photographs and copies of old Ordnance Survey maps. However it is sadly let down by the miniscule text which is difficult to read in less than ideal light or conditions.
July 9, 2019
not my usual reading matter but useful in tracing lost lines when writing historical fiction
May 4, 2014
Great book to dip in and out of. Informative and useful in identifying walks along long forgotten railway lines. A must for the enthusiast of our lost railway lines.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews