Lost Railways of the Chilterns

The counties of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire were once rich rural railways.  The first line to cut through the Chiltern Hills was the London & Birmingham railways part of Stephenson's plan to link the industrial Midlands with the markets of London. By the end of the 19th century, no fewer than five major routes had penetrated the Chilterns.  Many branch lines followed, linking cities, town and villages, providing an essential service to rural agricultural areas.  Their decline began in the 1920s and by the 1950s several lines had given way to increasing road competition.

In this well researched book, the author explains the history of these lost lines, the reasons for their construction and their closure.  There are also six specially drawn maps to help enthusiasts locate the closed lines and railway stations that have survived from the heyday of the railway age.

A5 (softcover) 160 pages

Author: Leslie Oppitz

ISBN 9781853066436