The Chiltern Line of the Great Western and Great Central Railways, by Bill Simpson
Book published by Lamplight in 2015, 160 pages. Large A4 size softback (N5495P1)
Brand New Book
From the rear side cover: he Great Central Railway struggled to reach London and open its extension station at Marylebone in 1899. One would not have thought so by its splendid appearance. It did not have the advantages of gradual development as earlier railways had. But sprung into existence as a contemporary and in some ways advanced creation. It was in every way handsomely designed and gave an impression of success.
Its bright shining moments became all too few however, with only fifteen years of existence before the Great War of 1914-18 that changed everything. The Great Western Railway probably gained the greater value from their shared partnership of new northern lines. They at last had their fast direct route to the north.
The epic decline and fall of the former GCR route in the 1960s suggested that ambition had fallen short of hopeful optimism, being created too late in the scheme of things. Even the former GWR line itself fell within the shadow of prospective closure. This book covers the history periods up until the present day, and happier times for the remaining parts of the route that is enjoying popular patronage. It is related in 160 pages with over 200 photographs and maps, including 16 pages of colour.
| Condition | New |