This is the first volume covering the minor railways of northern Northumberland (essentially the administrative districts of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Alnwick). The next three will cover colliery lines; sandstone, whinstone and gravel lines; and limestone industry lines.
There’s a remarkable amount of diverse railways, standard and narrow gauge. Some were short-lived while others operated for many years, but most are now consigned to history.
This volume covers 38 railways, of which eight were no more than proposals, and include brickworks, forestry, military, passenger, contractors and ‘others’ such as the Marshall Meadows Seaweed Railway, to transport seaweed (for use as fertiliser) and other traffic, such as fish. It also included a tunnel, which survives today.
Each railway has its history and operational details, where known, and the book has 99 illustrations, mainly mono photographs. It’s the product of extensive original research and, despite its non-mainstream subject, makes for fascinating and enjoyable reading. Importantly, it also covers an aspect of railways too often overlooked. And, it’s very good value too.