For the Love of Trains: Celebrating 200 Years of British Railways

by Paul Routledge

Coincides with the 200th anniversary of the modern railway - with a foreword by Pete Waterman

“As a railwayman’s son I am chuffed to write a book in celebration of trains for the bicentenary year of the world’s first public railway. Covering every aspect from the Victorian railway mania, the heyday and end of steam, the railway at war and my boyhood passion of trainspotting, to the triumph and debacle of HS1 and HS2.”

Dedicated ‘Puffer Nutter’ Paul Routledge has loved trains all his life.

Whether it’s chugging along on a scenic steam railway or whizzing through towns and fields to the other side of the country, for Paul it has never lost its magic.

A journalist for nearly 60 years years and Daily Mirror columnist for 27 of those, Paul has written regularly about the joys of train travel.

Now the country is set to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway – The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on September 27, 1825 – when better to pen a love letter to trains?

Looking at everything from the earliest days, fascinating stories, famous faces and future of the railways, Paul’s ode to trains is a must-read for any railway fan as well as those enthusiastic amateurs who just want to know a little more about transport they possibly take for granted.

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2025

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting book about rail charting the 200th anniversary of the train

[Ryan Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Love of Trains by Paul Routledge is an absolute delight and a heartfelt celebration of Britain’s railways. Routledge writes with infectious enthusiasm, blending history, travel, and personal reflection in a way that feels both deeply knowledgeable and warmly accessible. His passion shines on every page, turning stations, journeys, and locomotives into vivid, living characters. The book is richly entertaining, frequently humorous, and often surprisingly moving, capturing the romance and cultural importance of trains with elegance and charm. Whether you are a lifelong rail enthusiast or a casual traveller, this is a wonderfully engaging, nostalgic, and uplifting read that leaves you with a renewed appreciation for the magic of the railway.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about trains! This book takes us through the history of the modern railway for it's 200 year anniversary. The stories in the book are interesting and enjoyable covering everything you want to know about the modern railway. I did enjoy the later years as it was the years that I knew and could remember bits from the information in the book. It was very well researched and there are lots of facts and figures throughout. This is a definite treat for fans of railways!