On the North and West Route from Chester to Newport - Hardcover

Coles, C.R.L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0711014086 ISBN 13: 9780711014084

Publisher: Allan, 1984

Synopsis

From the estuary of the River Dee to the mouth of the River Severn - a distance of approximately 140 miles - lies a band of country (in places as wide as 30 miles or perhaps more) of extreme contrasts, historical, cultural and, what is perhaps most obvious to the average visitor, scenically beautiful. The Welsh Marches, as this part of Great Britain is generally known, has through the centuries witnessed many campaigns - some barbarous and others more peaceful. It has also witnessed the birth of one of the greatest revolutions in history - that of industry. It was in 1853 that the final rail link between Chester and Newport became a reality. In the ensuing years up to the end of the last century, many short feeder lines were constructed of which at least one was built to a narrow gauge. These lines were largely for the benefit of the rural community and not infrequently endured a somewhat precarious existence before being displaced by road transport. In this album, Mr. Coles has taken us on a pictorial tour of what is now known as the North and West Route (but in the reverse direction) and has included many of these small feeder branches and diversionary routes associated with the main line. He has also provided opportunities for breaking our journey en route to enable us to appreciate more fully some of the architectural and cultural features (not visible from the train) characteristic of the more interesting places - Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Llangollen, to mention but three. Well over 50% of the pictures in this album reflect the age of steam, either in reality or as surviving today under the age of preservationists. Contents: Introduction, Bibliography, Cardiff & Bristol to Hereford: The Western Valley Branch; Newport to Pontypool; On the Eastern Valley Branch; Pontypool Road. 1959-1982; West to North via Bristol; On the Vale of Neath Line; The LNWR at Abergavenny; On Llanvihangel Bank; Pandy to Hereford; Variety at Hereford; Pomp and Circumstance, etc

Edition details

• Publisher: Allan
• Publication date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0711014086
• ISBN 13: 9780711014084
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112