Book published by Tourret in 2003, 225 pages. Large A4 size hardback with Dust Jacket - c.21cm by 30cm (N5593)
From the front inside fly leaf: This book reviews the engineering works, civil and mechanical, carried out by the Great Western Railway in the decade 1928-1938. In this period, it almost seems that the GWR were rebuilding their whole system, so extensive were the works that were carried out. Bearing in mind that these years covered more or less the 1930s years of industrial depression with high unemployment, it is all the more impressive that the GWR accomplished so much, indeed these foundations mostly remain today.
The government of the day helped by passing the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act of 1929, under which the government could pay the interest on capital expended on schemes of development. Most railways took advantage of this Act, but none more so than the GWR, who participated in the anticipation that trade would improve and there would be a need for better railway transport facilities. By the end of 1933, they had 35 separate schemes involving a total of about £8,000,000, an enormous amount of money in those days.
The GWR programme covered all sections of railway and dock operations throughout the system, and included major improvements at the main stations, lines being quadrupled, new avoiding lines, extension of Automatic Train Control, colour-light signalling and improved dock facilities in South Wales, as well as a host of smaller improvements, some carried out in cooperation with Local Town Councils and the like. The list of works detailed in the book is exhaustive, and includes:
New Goods Facilities at Newport
Caerphilly Locomotive Works
Repairs to Swansea North Dock Drawbridge
Alterations at Cardiff Queen Street Station
Reconstruction and Widening of Aberbeeg Bridge
Oil Gas Works at Newport
New Depot for J.S.Fry & Sons at Ladbroke Grove
Floating Crane for South Wales Docks
Rebuilding the Land Spans of the Royal Albert Bridge
Improvements at Oswestry
New Swing Bridge at Cardiff Docks
Reconstruction of Appleford Viaduct
Removal and Replacement of Lock Gates
Reconstruction of Heronston Lane Underbridge
Reconstruction Work at Old Hill Tunnel
Reconstruction of Holmbush Bridge, near St Austell
Demolition of Wynnstay Colliery Bridge
Improvements at Morpeth Dock Goods Station in Birkenhead
Repairs at Dawlish
New Station Building at Newport
Renewal Work on Crumlin Viaduct
Reconstruction of the Severn Bridge at Worcester
Reconstruction of Goddards Bridge near St Fagans
Reconstruction of Princes Road Overbridge near Ruabon
Reconstruction of the Mill Leat Bridge at Totnes
Cleaning the Roof at Paddington Station
Passing of the Old Dock at Newport
New Level Crossing Barrier at Hayes
Distribution Depot for Cad bury at Exeter
Cementation in the Severn Tunnel
Steel Sleepers
Improvements in the Paignton Area
Viaducts at Quakers Yard
Banbury Marshalling Yards
Platform Extensions at Paddington
Facilities at Brentford Docks
Improvements at Kingswear
Reconstruction of Eign Bridge
Improved Locomotive Accomodation at Didcot
London Lorry Repair Shop
Reconstruction of Traeth Bach Viaduct
Reconstruction of Bridge over the River Towy
Installation of Colour Light Signalling between Paddington and Southall
Reconstruction Work at Taunton
Modernisation of the Wolverhampton Locomotive Works
Replacement of Ponsanooth, Ringwell and Carnon Viaducts
South Wales Docks Improvements
South Wales Marshalling Yards
New Locomotive Running Depots
Improved Rolling Stock Construction and Repair Facillities
Quadrupling the Birmingham Main Line
New Goods Traffic Facilities in the Birmingham Area
Doubling of Lines and Other Improvements in Cornwall
Norton Fitzwarren to Newton Abbot Line Improvements
Didcot to Swindon Line Improvements
Improvements at Trowbridge
Westbury & Frome Avoiding Lines
Improvements on the Minehead Branch
Pier & Harbour Improvements at Weymouth
Fly-over Junction at Cogload
Disinfecting Plant for Railway Rolling Stock
Power Signalling at Cardiff General Station
Dredging the South Wales Docks and Approach Channels
Demolition of a Road Bridge
Reconstruction of Paddington Station
Passing of Brunel's Last Timber Viaduct
New Design of Bridge at Oxford
Improvements at Cardiff
New By-Pass Road at Newport
Improvements at Swansea
Improvements at Bristol Temple Meads Station
Demolition of Penyrheol Viaduct
New Goods Station at Penzance
Movement of Plymouth Signal Box
Construction of New Sea Wall at Penzance
Reconstruction of Oxford Road Bridge in Reading
Automatic Train Control
New Carriage Storage Shed at Swindon
Improvements at Weymouth Quay
Repainting the Royal Albert Bridge
Plymouth (North Road) Station Improvements
Reconstruction of Trenance Viaduct in Newquay
Reconstruction of Leamington Spa Station
Paddington Signal Box Fires
The condition of the book is generally very good. The dust jacket has one or two minor scuffs but is clean and bright, the spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.
| Condition | New |