|
Final Link by Dennis Edwards & Ron Pigram Great Western & Great Central HardCov
Final Link by Dennis Edwards & Ron Pigram
A pictorial histosry of the Great Western and Great Central Joint Line - the last main line steam railway to be built in England and its effect upon the Chilterns and South Midlands
Hard Cover
142 pages
Copyright 1982
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements 6
Foreword 7
Introduction 9
Wonderful Wembley 51
The Growth of West London 59
The New Commuterland 67
Amid the Chiltern Beeches 87
Across the Green Desert 119
Banbury and Beyond 131
Credits 144
FOREWORD
Probably nowhere other than in the heady patriotic atmosphere of England in the dying years of the Victorian Age could such an expensive and unnecessary venture in railway building have taken place. Another link between London and Birmingham, that was to prove the very last steam main line railway built in England, had little sound financial logic in the dawn of the motor age. There was a Late Imperial flavour about the whole affair.
It was spawned by the powerful Great Western Railway's wish for a more direct line between London and Birmingham to gain additional traffic, and the Great Central Railway's difficulty in working high-speed trains into its new London terminus, via Aylesbury and Harrow, because of its argument with the Metropolitan Railway.
The Joint Line was to help the spread of London and to bring a promise of industry, as well as promoting trade in a very rural part of England. But these were the sunset years of Britain's great Railway Age. It was already too late ...
The direct route from Paddington to Birmingham and the line from Marylebone to Grendon Underwood via High Wycombe was the last main railway line built in England. It was a route of 733/a miles, of which 34 were owned jointly by the GWR and the GCR. The line was built for two purposes: The GWR wanted to shorten the mileage of its Birmingham expresses, which were facing competition from the LNWR(the new route would be only 110 miles as against 129 via Didcot and Oxford). The Great Central Railway needed an alternative route to the crowded and heavily graded line it shared with the Metropolitan via Quainton Road and Harrow to Marylebone.
The new railway was to open up the then remote countryside of the Vale of Aylesbury, as well as areas of the mid-Chilterns. It was also to develop the flat fields of West Middlesex for suburban and industrial development.
Yet as a main trunk line to the Midlands it had a life of only just over fifty years.
Built to the finest engineering standards, over-provided with large stations and goods yards, it was a case of arriving too late on the stage of railway history, and too inconvenient for the places it was designed to serve.
Yet despite Dr Beeching and later `rationalisation', the main route of the Joint line survives. There are frequent trains from Marylebone to Banbury, and once a day it is still possible to travel direct from Birmingham to Paddington via High Wycombe - and back again in the evening!
This book tells of the background behind the building of the line; its subsequent effect on the economy of the places through which it passed. And through its pages we will go on a nostalgic journey from Paddington and Marylebone to Banbury - and on to Birmingham.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
