Scotland's Lost Branch Lines

Scotland's Lost Branch Lines PDF Author: David Spaven
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781839830532
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The infamous 'Beeching Axe' swept away virtually every Scottish branch line in the 1960s. Conventional wisdom viewed these losses as regrettable yet inevitable in an era of growing affluence and rising car ownership. This ground-breaking analysis of Beeching's flawed approach to closures has unearthed strong evidence of a 'stitch-up' - the Beeching Report ignored the scope for sensible economies which would have allowed a significant number of axed routes to survive and prosper.David Spaven traces the birth, life and eventual death of Scotland's branch lines, and outlines the controversial closure process through the unique stories of how a dozen routes lost their trains in the 1960s: the lines to Ballachulish, Ballater, Callander, Crail, Crieff, Fraserburgh, Kelso, Kilmacolm, Leven, Peebles, Peterhead and St Andrews.He concludes by exploring a potential renaissance of branch lines, propelled by concerns over road congestion and the climate emergency.Features rarely seen photographic material including 96 photographs and maps.

Scotland's Lost Branch Lines

Scotland's Lost Branch Lines PDF Author: David Spaven
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781839830532
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The infamous 'Beeching Axe' swept away virtually every Scottish branch line in the 1960s. Conventional wisdom viewed these losses as regrettable yet inevitable in an era of growing affluence and rising car ownership. This ground-breaking analysis of Beeching's flawed approach to closures has unearthed strong evidence of a 'stitch-up' - the Beeching Report ignored the scope for sensible economies which would have allowed a significant number of axed routes to survive and prosper.David Spaven traces the birth, life and eventual death of Scotland's branch lines, and outlines the controversial closure process through the unique stories of how a dozen routes lost their trains in the 1960s: the lines to Ballachulish, Ballater, Callander, Crail, Crieff, Fraserburgh, Kelso, Kilmacolm, Leven, Peebles, Peterhead and St Andrews.He concludes by exploring a potential renaissance of branch lines, propelled by concerns over road congestion and the climate emergency.Features rarely seen photographic material including 96 photographs and maps.

Last Trains

Last Trains PDF Author: Charles Loft
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
ISBN: 1849545634
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Book Description
"The debate about Dr Richard Beeching will rage until the Second Coming – and probably beyond. But in Charles Loft's careful examination of the Beeching Report, we have as fine a study as we are going to possess in the meantime." – Peter Hennessy "Loft's great strength is his judiciousness. He understands the political processes and assesses them fair-mindedly. And his verdict will, I suspect, hold up better than any of Beeching's judgements." – Matthew Engel, Financial Times "Prepare to be impressed, shocked and saddened ... This is undoubtedly one of the best books of the year – a riveting read." – Railways Illustrated "Lucid, to the point, thought-provoking at every turn, Last Trains is a volume that everyone should read before making judgements about the rail closures of the Sixties." – Heritage Railway "Thoughtful and well-researched analysis." – Edinburgh Evening News *** During the course of the 1950s England lost confidence in its rulers and convinced itself it must modernise. The failing steam-powered local railways, run by Colonel Blimp, symbolised everything that was wrong with the country – surely the future lay in motorways and high-speed express trains? Along came Dr Beeching with his diagnosis, and suddenly branch-line Britain was gone for ever. The debate about the Beeching cuts has raged ever since. In this superbly researched examination, Charles Loft exposes the political failures that bankrupted the railways and lays bare the increasing alienation of bureaucrats from the public they were trying to serve. The result is a fascinating study of a nation grappling to come to terms with modernity.

Scottish Branch Lines

Scottish Branch Lines PDF Author: C. J. Gammell
Publisher: Oxford Publishing
ISBN: 9780860935407
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 191

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Scottish Branch Lines, 1955-65

Scottish Branch Lines, 1955-65 PDF Author: Christopher John Gammell
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780860930051
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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The Railway Magazine

The Railway Magazine PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages :

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Callander and Oban Railway Through Time

Callander and Oban Railway Through Time PDF Author: Ewan Crawford
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781445614052
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Book Description
Construction on the Callander & Oban Railway began in 1866, but because of the mountain terrain through which the line passed, especially at Glen Ogle and at the Pass of Brander at Loch Awe, the line did not open until 1880. Designed to link Callander, near Stirling, soon to be absorbed into the Scottish Central Railway and then the Caledonian, with the west coast port of Oban, the line was never profitable although Oban developed as a fashionable resort after the arrival of the railway. Although the section of line between Crianlarich and Oban remains open as part of the West Highland Line, the eastern section between Callander and Crianlarich closed following a landslide in September 1965. Much of the eastern section is now a cycle path known as the Rob Roy Way. In this book, Ewan Crawford uses a mixture of old and new photographs to bring the history of the line and its landscape to life.

History Today

History Today PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 454

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Book Description


The Scottish Railway Atlas

The Scottish Railway Atlas PDF Author: David Spaven
Publisher: Birlinn
ISBN: 9781780272382
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The rich diversity of Scotland's railway network has never before been the subject of a specialist atlas. This book showcases 181 topographical and railway maps, telling the story of the country's railways from the early nineteenth century to the present day. Researched and written by David Spaven - who co-wrote the best-selling Mapping the Railways on the history of Britain's rail network - this beautiful atlas allows the reader to understand the bigger story of the effects of the railways on the landscape and the impact of Scotland's distinctive geography on the pattern of railway development over a period of nearly 200 years. The unique map selection is supported by an informative commentary of key cartographic, geographic and historical features. This sumptuous atlas will appeal not just to railway enthusiasts and those who appreciate the beauty of maps, but also to readers fascinated by the role of railways in Scotland's modern developments.

Fire and Steam

Fire and Steam PDF Author: Christian Wolmar
Publisher: Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1848872615
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 332

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Book Description
Now in paperback, Fire and Steam tells the dramatic story of the people and events that shaped the world's first railway network, one of the most impressive engineering achievements in history. The opening of the pioneering Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830 marked the beginning of the railways' vital role in changing the face of Britain. Fire and Steam celebrates the vision and determination of the ambitious Victorian pioneers who developed this revolutionary transport system and the navvies who cut through the land to enable a country-wide network to emerge. The rise of the steam train allowed goods and people to circulate around Britain as never before, stimulating the growth of towns and industry, as well many of the facets of modern life, from fish and chips to professional football. From the early days of steam to electrification, via the railways' magnificent contribution in two world wars, the checkered history of British Rail, and the buoyant future of the train, Fire and Steam examines the social and economical importance of the railway and how it helped to form the Britain of today.

Train

Train PDF Author: Tom Zoellner
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0698151399
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description
An epic and revelatory narrative of the most important transportation technology of the modern world In his wide-ranging and entertaining new book, Tom Zoellner—coauthor of the New York Times–bestselling An Ordinary Man—travels the globe to tell the story of the sociological and economic impact of the railway technology that transformed the world—and could very well change it again. From the frigid trans-Siberian railroad to the antiquated Indian Railways to the Japanese-style bullet trains, Zoellner offers a stirring story of this most indispensable form of travel. A masterful narrative history, Train also explores the sleek elegance of railroads and their hypnotizing rhythms, and explains how locomotives became living symbols of sex, death, power, and romance.