The Railway Adventures: Places, Trains, People and Stations

by Vicki Pipe, Geoff Marshall

The railways are one of our finest engineering legacies - a web of routes connecting people to each other and to a vast network of world-class attractions. It is also the best route to enjoying the landscape of Great Britain.

Within these pages Vicki Pipe and Geoff Marshall from All the Stations (YouTube transport experts and survivors of a crowd-funded trip to visit all the stations in the UK) help you discover the hidden stories that lie behind branch lines, as well as meeting the people who fix the engines and put the trains to bed.

Embark on unknown routes, disembark at unfamiliar stations, explore new places and get to know the communities who keep small stations and remote lines alive.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Trains

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Vicki Pipe is a museum manager, engagement specialist, and now author. Her first book, The Railway Adventures: Places, Trains, People and Stations was published in October 2018.

Her second book Great British Railways: 50 Things to See and Do is a lively, interactive book that will inspire children – and adults – to seize the moment and explore the wonderful world of Great Britain’s railways.

Between 2017-19 Vicki travelled to every railway station in the UK and Ireland with fellow adventurer Geoff Marshall. They filmed the entire experience, sharing vlogs on YouTube - watched by more than 9 million people - posting images on Instagram and engaging with the public on Facebook and Twitter.

Her interest in the railways lays with the stories of people, social change and how the railways impact on our sense of space and surroundings.

For the past 15 years Vicki has worked in museum education. From medieval knights in castles, body snatchers in graveyards to bus drivers on the Western Front and civil war in Somalia, Vicki has collaborated on projects with hundreds of people to uncover, interpret and share the stories of the past, present and future.

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy getting into a travel bug kind of mood? This book certainly made me feel excited to travel. Real-life adventures following two Youtubers who travel around the UK, visiting every single train station in the country thanks to a successful funding project via Kickstarter. I loved finding out about new locations such as the least used station ever, as well as the one with the longest platforms. Growing up in a train-loving family, this read was nostalgic and educational. Now, I need to start saving up for my own adventures…

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having seen the full series of All The Stations on YouTube I was anxious to read this book. Vicki and Geoff come across exactly as they are on screen which makes reading this book so pleasant. I love that they encourage us to explore our country by rail, which I plan to do and this gives us tips and hints. The biggest tip is to talk to people and ask what they like and we may be pleasantly surprised at what we find. Very highly recommend.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed the YouTube channel I was a little sceptical that a book could do the series justice. How wrong could I be! The front cover depicts many things but for me Whitby Abbey stands out and add to that a two pages on the town itself the book gets a huge thumbs up.

This isn't a trainspotters book it's a great guide to the railways of mainland Britain and and could be considered a modern version of Bradshaws guide. Vicki and Geoff brought to life the people, places, trains, stations and life of the railways. Little bits like the Stats, the Moquettes, most and least used stations the staff and of course Vicki's 'Quaint Scale' make the book a 'must read' book.

The humour of the videos comes through in the photos, maps and writing. I simply love it.

Can I recommend it? Yes most definitely. This is one of the books I have that will take pride of place on my bookshelf and will be revisited over and over.

Thanks Vicki and Geoff. Britain Needs more railways ... we need more Vicki and Geoff.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful supplement to Vicki and Geoff's All the Stations series.

[Wilf Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. It nice reading this already as a historic document… only five years since the publication of this book, the railways have already changed massively. And they’ll keep doing so…

[Alyza · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2017, Vicki Pipe and Geoff Marshall embarked on a journey to go to literally all 2563 national railway stations (they had to be on a train that stopped at every station on a line, and they had to at minimum get video or photos of each, if they didn't actually alight at each one).

After documenting their journey on YouTube, they wrote a book! "The Railway Adventures: Places, Trains, People and Stations". Part travel guide (what's the most quaint station?), part history book, and part discussion into the importance.

[Ross Harte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I followed the "All the Stations" videos as they were posted in the summer of 2017, so it was lovely to receive this book as a gift a couple of years later. I've read it slowly during the pandemic, something to give a few minutes to every now and again, lifting my attention to a wider geography and reminding me why I really enjoy trains and railway infrastructure.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best train book I've read. Geoff and Vicki are as personable on page as they are on screen. Wonderful book that I can't recommend highly enough and I will be following their advice to get out their and explore our country by rail.

[A G Hind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rail tourists take note

A concise and enjoyable journey full of facts and figures on the UK’s extensive rail network. Geoff and Vicki are accomplished anoraks at train travelling (you should check out their Youtube channel Allthestations). This book is totally recommended

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you have seen the Youtube videos from All the Stations about their adventure, this book is a must. It has so many facts and behind the scenes info, you want to have an adventure of your own.
Loved it!

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book for trainspotters.
No, this is a book for the more elusive Train _Station_ Spotter.
Worth a read if you find the stations & history to be more of a draw than the actual train.

[Evan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addendum to the YouTube channel

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful book detailing all that is good about rail travel in the UK and how we can get the best out of it.

Geoff and Vicki are two cheerful, friendly and enthusiastic couple who are both charming.

They guide you easily yet thoroughly thorough their journey and beyond.

[MG · Rating 5 out of 5]

the end of an era, won't ever be able to look at trains again in the same way. also i love trains, they deserve more respect as a means of transportation.

[Grant Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book detailing an incredible adventure on the railways. It has so much in it for you to start, and want to do a railway adventure of your own.

[Adeptus Fringilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to go with the numerous videos. Plenty of information to start my own railway adventure.