Times End of the Line

by Julian Holland

Covering the period from 1948 to 1983, The Times End of the Line chronologically traces the history of over 400 of long forgotten railway lines, region by region, from their opening to closure and a few cases to reopening.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 5, 2023

About the author

As a young lad I was surrounded by railways. Across the road from where we lived in Gloucester was the ex-Midland Railway line to Bristol and Birmingham, behind us was the branch line down to Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company’s Works and in the attic was an ‘O’ gauge clockwork railway built by my father. Boy’s books and magazines were awash with railway subjects and the weekly ‘Eagle’ comic with its centrefold cutaway, often a railway subject, was always eagerly awaited. Unlike today, railways then were still an important part of everyday life and the long and complicated journey to our holiday destination each year was pure joy.

I distinctly remember the first time I went trainspotting. Having just passed my 11-plus exam I went on to attend secondary school where many of my classmates, aided by a plethora of Ian Allan books and magazines, had already been bitten by the craze. I was determined that the next Saturday I would catch the bus down to Gloucester Central and Eastgate stations to investigate this phenomenon. I have still got my Sterling No. 3 notebook and a pencil from that portentous day in 1957 when I hung around the stations, taking in the smell of smoke, steam and oil – I was hooked! Penzance, Paddington, Newcastle, Wolverhampton Low Level, Birmingham Snow Hill, Manchester and Sheffield were among the distant and seemingly romantic destinations of the trains that I saw on that day. There was no stopping me and over the next ten years I travelled far and wide, usually in the company of likeminded friends, to nearly every far-flung corner of British Railways in search of that elusive locomotive number or to travel on a soon-to-be-closed line. Even the introduction of those dastardly diesels failed to dampen my enthusiasm!

On leaving school I trained as a graphic designer at the infamous Hornsey College of Art in the late 1960s and went on to work as a designer and art director at several well known London publishing companies. In more recent years I have contributed to many bestselling books on railways and have more recently written Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2008), Discovering Britain’s Little Trains (AA Publishing, 2008), Great Railways of the World (AA Publishing, 2008), The Lost Joy of Railways (David & Charles, 2009), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Railways (Waverley Books, 2009), More Amazing & Extraordinary Railway Facts (David & Charles, 2010), Discovering Scotland’s Lost Local Lines (Waverley Books, 2010), The Lost Lines of Britain (AA Publishing, 2010), Steaming Across Britain (AA Publishing, 2011), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Trains & Railways (David & Charles, 2011), The Times: Mapping the Railways (co-written with David Spaven - Times Books, 2011), Railway Days Out (AA Publishing, 2012), Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Steam Age (David & Charles, 2012), Britain's Scenic Railways (Times Books, 2012), Dr Beeching: 50 Years On (David & Charles, 2013), An A-Z of Famous Express Trains (David & Charles, 2013), Exploring Britain's Lost Railways (Times Books, 2013), Railway Day Trips (Collins, 2014), Great Railway Journeys of the World (Times Books, 2014), History of Britain's Railways (Times Books, 2015), Lost Railway Walks (Collins, 2016).

Reviews

[Sophie Crane]

This is an Excellent book, Perfect for Train Enthusiasts like me. Concise information with great photographs and maps. Well laid out and easy to follow as a reference title.
(Thanks to Net Galley, Julian Holland & Collins for this Book).

[Jurga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reference book or a book for a dedicated train enthusiast.
I have to admit, it wouldn't read well just as ordinary book from the first page to the last, as it can become a little dry and tedious. However, I enjoyed very much looking for particular locations where trains used to in UK and to get to know that some of the lines have been renewed after many years of closures resulted by Beeching Axe. The pictures are delightful and adds a lot to the reading/flicking through experience - as a very visual person I appreciate it enough.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for a train enthusiast but also a good book if a sporadic reader or want to research

It's not a book for me that can be read cover to cover but I that's not my reading style either. I liked being able to learn about the locations in the UK of where trains reached, looking at lines that have been updated since closures have implored change. This book opens up the world of trains and the railway, but also shows that the government needed to ensure that only sufficient number of stations were open in they functioned, this meant we closed and lost access to many more.

Well researched, well written and very interesting! Thank you!

I received this book from netgalley for free in return for an honest review.

[JCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic look at the many railway lines that were closed between 1848 and the Beeching cuts. 'The Reshaping of British Railways', is the infamous report by Richard Beeching in 1963 which resulted in the mass closure of many railways and their local services despite protests. Here is a comprehensive explanation of the reasons why, and when, each of the lines were closed. The maps illustrate the vast expanse of closures around Britain, whilst the photos are evocative of days gone by. A hugely enjoyable and informative read. thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mrs Karen Bull · Rating 5 out of 5]

great interesting book, very well written and opens the world of the railway, exploring the many stations and lines lost due to beeching and government at the time.
i was aware stations closed but until read this book i didn't know exactly how many 2500 stations lost
book is brilliant for all history and railway fans

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love trains, railways and their history as they're usually the social history of a location.
This is a well researched and fascinating book with plenty of maps and illustrations.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine