Britain from the Rails: A Window Gazer's Guide

by Benedict le Vay

Expert railway enthusiast Ben Le Vay returns with a new edition of his much-acclaimed guide to discovering Britain from the rails. This latest edition adds new lines and destinations in Britain's fast-changing railway, while updating the guide to the classic greats. Thoroughly updated, it includes a full, fascinating guide to the new Borders Railway in Scotland, plus details of the new route from London to Oxford and expanded coverage of the eccentric Jolly Fisherman line in Lincolnshire and the charming Cotswold line from Oxford to Hereford. Also included are more details of the Far North line from Inverness to Wick and Thurso.‘Now, finally, the network has a book to be proud of!' So said one reviewer of the first edition. Branch lines and ‘secret railways' are covered, and so too are the popular routes such as the glorious East Coast main line to Scotland and the Great Western to Penzance. Regional treats include the famed West Highland Line in Scotland, the Settle and Carlisle railway in the north of England, and entire chapters dedicated to ‘Wales Rails' and ‘East A Circular Tour'. Additional information ranges from the practical – such as a guide to the layout of some of the country's main termini – to the ‘Inside a window-gazer's guide to stuff to look out for on your journey' and intriguing train trivia. The best historic and preserved railways are also included, as are Ben's Top Ten Rail Journeys. Ben Le Vay ‘There are endless books about trains, about the history of the railways, about stations, signal boxes, carriages, wagons… as specialist as you like. There are also myriad books about British cities and countryside, about what is wonderful and fascinating about different patches of our unique island. But there were none that successfully combined the one type of book with the other (after all, you look at the country while sitting on trains) until now. And this is I do with deep knowledge, love and enthusiasm for both parts.'

Genres: Travel, Railways, Trains

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Peter Coomber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is what it says it is: a window-gazer's guide to Britain from the rails. If you like travelling around on trains in Britain and like to know snippets about the places you are passing through then this is the book for you.
Otherwise...

I have a feeling that three stars out of five is a little unfair, but I can't give it three-and-a-half.

[B.J. Sikes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for. Kind of dull.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bad writer and a very sexist one too.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many puns and not enough useful information.

[David Lindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive review of parts of the rail network. Highly informative, from historical as well as transport perspective. Written by a scholar, not just a train buff. Some good ideas for days out !

[Wsclai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to go back and visit Britain by rail again. The book is comprehensive and a perfect guide for railway travellers. Only if fares were not that steep, rail travel in Britain would truly be a pleasure.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book that's very useful in travel planning if you plan to travel by rail. Could have been 5 stars but the author very frequently delves into the rail equivalent of "insider baseball."

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever travelled in Britain by train, or if you are planning to, this book is a delight. It identifies the most scenic routes, gives you pointers on which side which views are available from, provides information and inspiration.

If you are planning to travel by rail in the UK, then I would highly recommend reading about the possible routes ahead of time, and either taking the book with you, or copying the pages that will be relevant.