Railways of Devon and Cornwall /
Anthony Burges.
- Hersham, England : Ian Allan, 2008.
- 80 p. : ill., maps ; 29 cm.
- British railway pictorial. .
This new volume in the critically acclaimed British Railway Pictorial series focuses on the counties of Devon and Cornwall. Similar to previous titles, the author's own remarkable photograph- ic collection has faithfully recorded services over the myriad of lines built to serve the area. The final years of steam operation in the South West are nostalgically captured in over 175 beautiful black and white images, many of which have never been published. The railway development of Devon and Cornwall was dominated by the activity of the London & South Western and Great Western railways and this local rivalry persisted through the era of the Big Four to the early days of Nationalisation. It was only after the redrawing of the regional boundaries, which saw the ex-LSWR Withered Arm transferred to the WR, that the process of rationalisation took hold and left towns like Padstow, Wadebridge and Launceston devoid of railway services. The book is certain to be of interest to the countless thousands of holidaymakers at these popular destinations, as well as to locals who affectionately remember the days when steam ruled supreme. It will also be useful for modellers seeking reference material for the construction of model railway scenes based on the many attractive branch lines in the area. Trains & railways: general interest.