Railways of Herefordshire and the Southern Marches

Description

Heather Hurley demonstrates the importance of the early railways in a detailed and accurate account that provides wonderful material for future scholars. – Christian Wolmar

An excellent introduction to the railways of the Southern Marches and a good starting point for any reader wanting to study any of these railways. … It is a well-written and well illustrated social history of the railways of the Southern Marches. – Roger Farnworth

A richly detailed and illustrated account of the railways formed between 1845 and 1900 across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Brecknockshire and Radnorshire.

Unpicking the often haphazard network of the early railways, this book traces the lines and infrastructure, the stations, bridges and tunnels, the investors, engineers and navvies, and the charismatic steam locomotives that criss-crossed the region up until the 1960s – from the companies’ incorporation in the nineteenth century to what can be seen of the railways now.

The book is the result of extensive fieldwork and research into the archives of the 18 railway companies that sought to establish lines in the region, drawing on Acts of Parliament, toll tables, company minutes and accounts, plans and maps, newspapers, journals and walking tours of the lines themselves. The book is illustrated with more than 350 illustrations, including contemporary and historical photographs, prints, maps and documents.

Although individual railways have been well recorded in many publications, this is believed to be the first covering the early railways of this part of the country in a single volume. It provides a fascinating and richly-illustrated overview of the region’s historical railway network.

Heather Hurley is a well-known local historian and author of many books and journal articles.

Paperback with flaps | 288 pages | 242 x 171 mm | Jul 2026
More than 350 black & white and colour illus
ISBN 9781910839850