“Lament for a Branch Line” (The Preston to Southport Railway) - BOOK REVIEW

David Hindle has a long track-record of producing engaging and informative books covering all aspects of the railway heritage of Preston. This book is no exception and is built around an impressive range of photos of the much-lamented Preston to Southport line.

David Eaves' review is available here : HERE

There is longer review, by Mark Bartlett on the RailScot website.

Class 142 : The Bus That Became a Train (Book review)

Martyn Hilbert has carved out a reputation for entertaining and informative books, geographically covering most of the North West. This latest title is slightly different in two ways. Firstly, it doesn’t cover a specific area, focusing instead on the famous/infamous Pacer units and their deployment all over the network. Secondly, it departs somewhat from the “album” format of previous titles.

Class 142s are not, it is fair to say, everybody’s cup-of-tea. Love them or hate them though, they have played a huge role in keeping rural lines ticking over since the 1980s, when the first-generation DMUs bowed-out. Without the “Pacers”, some branches may not have survived the doldrums which preceded the rail boom of more recent years. With the Pacers now consigned to history too, now is the time to take a look back – fondly – on what was undoubtedly a successful design.

The first part of this book covers the background to the design: the reasons for reviving the “railbus” idea, the early prototypes and finally the production and introduction of the units. After a brief look at the depots that serviced the units, for the second half of the book we move into more familiar territory with a pictorial record of the units in the various places they served.

Most of Martyn Hilbert’s books feature largely his own photographic work, and this is no different. Martyn has an eye for an interesting shot, where the train forms only part of the interest. Many of the scenes that feature these DMUs are unrecognisable today, making for a fascinating and nostalgic look at several areas of the country where 142s were an everyday sight.

In short, whether you liked or loathed these units, this book is an interesting and informative read, full of cracking photos, which demonstrates the author’s deep knowledge of the subject matter. Recommended.

96 pages, published by Fonthill Media. £18

https://www.fonthill.media/products/class-142

West Lancs residents asked for views on level crossing safety

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/west-lancashire-residents-invited-to-have-their-say-on-level-crossing-safety

Quiz time !

 Can you estimate the date of our new addition to the Document Archive page?

Paul Kirkup has kindly supplied a scan of this interesting document:
Introducing British Railways Preston

The booklet is a description of goods and freight services available from Preston, but is undated. Perhaps the 4-digit phone numbers might offer a clue? If you have any suggestions of the when this may date from, please drop me a line!

Book : Freight Trains in the North of England

An illustrated Survey 1955-2018

As the title suggests, this new book from John Mathews covers a lot of ground - geographically and chronologically speaking. It is arranged logically by area beginning in Nottinghamshire, weaving across the country as it heads north to finish in the North East.

The book is arranged in the classic album format, which always works well if two things are true - the photos are up to scratch and the captions are of a high standard. Thankfully, both are true in this case. 

Photos come from the author and a selection of the most respected names in railway photography, and are well chosen to show the great variety of traffic which has graced the rails in the chosen period. Captions too are of a very high standard - uniformly infomative and interesting, adding context to each shot, rather than mearly describing the scene as some books seem to.

Preston features strongly in the North-West chapter along with other local spots.

All in all, this is a quality publication, printed in large-format hard-back and running to over 140 pages.

Available from the publisher or from all the usual shops and online sellers.

Preston station’s historic glazing gets identical looking modern replacement

A major restoration project on Preston station’s glazed frontage is complete making it safe and reliable for passengers on the West Coast main line. The £600,000 Great North Rail Project investment has seen the North side of the 140-year-old station transformed with new glazing and a specially designed window frame system. Full Story on the Railcam News page.

Preston Tram update

Reports have circulated of track clearance around the Skeffington Rd area, leading to hopes that the much delayed Guild Line is making progress. Sadly, it seems that the clearance is unconnected with the demonstration line planned on the former Deepdale / Longridge line. However, Tram Power report good progress and support from local government, leading to a higher level of confidence that the line will go ahead, in all the years since it was first proposed. Fingers crossed!