Books by Kevin Robertson

The Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later, under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.

The Midland & South Western Junction Railway, better known as the MSWJ was one of three cross-country lines that ran north-south through Southern England. Starting from Cheltenham where it rubbed shoulders with the Midland it passed through the very heart of the Great Western at Swindon and on through Marlborough to reach Andover where for the final few miles there was arrangement with the London & South Western Railway to reach Southampton. Prior to 1923 it might best be described as a cash strapped route although its fortunes finally improved considerably thanks to the involvement of a new general manager (Sir) Sam Fay. Later under the GWR that company almost seemed to eek its revenge, investing little and seemingly taking little interest in promoting what could well have been a useful through route. The MSWJ finally closed as a through line in 1961 but it lives on here with a wonderful series of images depicting both the last years and its ultimate demise the majority in colour with many published for the first time in book form.

The change from a red circle to a white circle on an old OS map is indicative of a station closed to passengers but very often open for freight. This was generally a temporary state of affairs being a prelude to ultimate closure of the line. In this, the eleventh in the series, we examine the railways of the pre-1974 county of Berkshire, travelling west to east with a few necessary detours north and south where relevant lines (used to) exist. The date 1974 is particularly important for this volume, as the Local Government Act 1974 which came into force on 1 April 1974 (we will not comment on the choice of this specific day), meant many closed stations and lines were ''moved'' overnight. Branch line changes to Windsor & Henley are considered together with an insight into Berkshires industrial lines. Newbury is spotlighted and, amongst others, Radley - Abingdon is discussed providing a local insight into a bygone age.

Kevin Robertson provides readers with a volume concentrating solely on the coaches of the GWR.