If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

The Presents of Christmas yet to come.

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by BiggerBob, Oct 30, 2020.

Tags:
  1. BiggerBob

    BiggerBob New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2007
    Messages:
    73
    Likes Received:
    52
    Many of us now find our movements restricted, For me one of the joys of visiting narrow gauge railways is browsing through the new books on narrow gauge railways in the ticket office/bookshop - enabling me to refine my Christmas present list. So which is the best book on narrow gauge railways published this year? And why do think it is?
     
  2. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2020
    Messages:
    217
    Likes Received:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Taunton
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Well Bob, Peter Johnson's books on the Mid Wales lines are good. I've purchased 2 copies of his volume on the Corris which came out at the end of 2019 to give as gifts and by buying them from the shop on the Corris website I've supported the railway and got a discount. Delivery was a couple of working days after I ordered. Peter is able to tell some complicated stories clearly and he doesn't try clumping attempts at "humour".

    But all n.g. lines with online shopping will appreciate our support in these times to keep going until we're able to browse in person again.
     
    30854 likes this.
  3. Axe +1

    Axe +1 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2017
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    726
    Occupation:
    Retired {Electronics Engineer}
    Location:
    Surrey
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I would recommend a brand NEW book, which as of today has just been published within the last 7-days.

    Available from the L&BR station shop at Woody Bay, I purchased my copy online last Monday, and delivered 2-days later on Wednesday. The book contains many first-class photographs of the pre-1935 L&B which serve to show the atmosphere of this popular and unique railway.

    [​IMG]

    The L&B Story is the history of the line from construction to closure in photographs (a number of which have never been seen in print before). All feature detailed historical captions laid out to maximum advantage.

    132 pages with at least one photo per page including a 1929 1" map.

    The L&B Trust's latest publication and for the first time a hardback book you will treasure. Only 1,000 copies have been printed and there will be no more.

    For further information, see >>> https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/shop-item/new-lb-story
     
    Old Kent Biker likes this.
  4. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1,308
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    ex IT Consultant
    Location:
    Kent UK
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    You beat me to it Chris!
    Mine arrived yesterday - although even though I bought and paid for it myself, it's been taken away, wrapped, and I'm not allowed to open it until Dec 25th! :(
     
  5. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,069
    Likes Received:
    5,165
    I'm wondering whether to order a copy, considering that, on the one hand, it will be wonderful to browse but, on the other, that I already have more books than I can fit into my bookcases and no more space for more bookcases.

    What is the rationale for never printing more than the initial 1000?

    And what are the plans for volume 2 describing the rebirth? Wait until the line has been reopened as far as it ever can be (which will be well after my time)? Or a series of editions over the years?
     
  6. Axe +1

    Axe +1 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2017
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    726
    Occupation:
    Retired {Electronics Engineer}
    Location:
    Surrey
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I suspect the reason is likely to be because like all other heritage railways, the L&BR has been short of cash for non-essential procurements due to the covid pandemic.

    I believe there may well be something on the drawing board, so watch this space !!!!!!!
     
  7. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2020
    Messages:
    217
    Likes Received:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Taunton
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I suspect that 1000 isn't that small a print run for a railway themed book these days. Given their previous experience with some very good publications the L&B folk will have a sound idea of how many copies they can reasonably look to sell and will know how many have to be sold before contributing to the bottom line and future development. A matter that is entirely for them.
     
    Axe +1 and Old Kent Biker like this.
  8. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,069
    Likes Received:
    5,165
    I'm sure there's a sound rationale for the initial print run. What I'm wondering is why they have decided on what is effectively a limited edition, with no reprint ever.
     
  9. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2020
    Messages:
    217
    Likes Received:
    589
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Taunton
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    It's all academic until the current print run has covered its cost and later hopefully approaches a sell out. Currently, and with more clouds gathering, bottom line trumps hypotheticals I'd suggest.
     
  10. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,172
    Likes Received:
    11,493
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Brighton&Hove
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Right now, that's all too true across the board. :(
     
  11. ragl

    ragl Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2010
    Messages:
    1,749
    Likes Received:
    1,637
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Consultant Engineer
    Location:
    Shropshire
    I will certainly be getting a copy of this:

    railway to advenbture.jpg

    The Railway to Adventure is the story of the Port Elizabeth to Avontuur 2'-0" gauge line in South Africa. Some of you may already be familiar with Charlie Lewis's superb website Soul of a Railway, this book could be considered the hard-copy of the online site:

    https://sites.google.com/site/soulorailway/home/system-3-1

    I would recommend that you take a packed lunch and a few beers if you visit the web-site, as I guarantee that you will be gone for quite a while........

    Cheerz,

    Alan
     
    Old Kent Biker likes this.
  12. Axe +1

    Axe +1 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2017
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    726
    Occupation:
    Retired {Electronics Engineer}
    Location:
    Surrey
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I am closely associated with the Surrey Support Group of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust who publish a well-received edition of a detailed book about the railway, which includes the post-2004 restoration era. In 2009 we published our 2nd edition printing 1,000 copies. The books sold well in about 12-months, so we ordered a further 1,000 copies from the printers. That second batch took 9-years to sell and a lesson was learnt.
     
    Old Kent Biker likes this.

Share This Page