"It is a very interesting collection of images collated from a number of sources in addition to the author. The scope of images will also give valuable details for the railway modellers."

Great Eastern Railway Society Newsletter

Those with an interest in Welsh railway history have been well served in recent years by John Hodge’s series of photographic albums on the lines in South and West Wales and the Valleys. These readers are likely to be equally pleased by this album compiled by Stuart Davies, again from Pen & Sword Publishers.

This impressive casebound book of 144 pages features historic images from the English border at the Severn Tunnel to the western extremity of Fishguard Harbour, with dozens of locations illustrated in between, and assisted by half a dozen reference maps to aid the reader. Although the book is mainly arranged on an east to west basis, the author has chosen to group together themed images along the way, so that there are sections, for example, on viaducts, signal boxes, locomotive sheds, milk traffic and coal operations, all with detailed and informative captions. Interwoven with the illustrations are a few short narrative sections, including a delightful piece describing the crossing of two trains at Llangynwyd, to the north of Bridgend. The pictures themselves derive from a number of sources, including the Online Transport Archive and Great Western Trust, and include a good number of colour images. Whether colour of black and white, the photos are almost invariably well reproduced, mainly at two to a page, on gloss paper.

With such a rich selection to choose from, it did not prove easy for this reviewer to pick out favourite images. An official image of the extensive sidings at Llanelly Docks in 1921 stands out, as do a couple of magnificent views of the Cardigan branch in full colour. Modellers may well be inspired by the colour image of a Carmarthen to Aberystwyth passenger train near Conwil conveying half a dozen empty milk tanks for Felin Fach creamery. Likewise a lengthy train of ammonia tanks heading for Dowlais is seen at Talybont-on-Usk behind two pannier tanks. Nor will those with a penchant for photos concentrating on locomotives be disappointed.

This is another beautifully presented and worthwhile book to add to published work on the railways of South Wales.

West Somerset Railway Association

"Highly recommended."

The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society - The Railway Observer, February 2023, Volume 93, Number 1128

Featured in

Welsh Railways Research Circle, No.172 Winter 2022/23

Featured in

The Journal of the friends of the National Railway Museum Winter 2022-23 (No.182)

An excellent photographic survey of South Wales railways during their operational zenith which includes some rare and unusual images.

Enjoyable and recommended.

Read the review here

Books on the Line

Despite my dislike of railway picture books this came across as one of the better pictorial compilations covering South Wales.

The arrangement is broadly South Wales east to west starting at Severn Tunnel Junction (and the tunnel pumping station at Sudbrook) and moving across to Fishguard and the ever delightful Cardigan branch. It also ventures north to Brecon Free Street and Three Cocks Junction.

Pictures are good quality and include some in colour. They are broadly representative of railway life and operations: for example, we have a signalman in his power box, Newport Hillfield tunnel doubling works, wagon labels, Great Western posters, Rhymney, Taff Vale and Barry Railway railmotors and GWR diesel railcars.

Traffic covered include coal of course, but also milk trains, ammonia, fresh fish (some carried in containers for easy trans-shipment), Irish cattle from Fishguard and even an elephant. There is a picture of 4250 with a train of military vehicles at an unstated location, probably Narberth. (I was delighted to see that photograph, as I have a cabside plate from that engine. Bought for £5 10/- in 1964. A lot of money for a teenager with no paper round.)

Nearly all the loco classes to work in South Wales feature including the decidedly chunky Barry. and Port Talbot Railways 0-8-2 tank engines. We are reminded that Ebbw Junction was the second largest shed on the GWR and Aberbeeg had thirty-seven tank engines allocated and no need for a turntable.

So, a better than average photographic compilation. The author was a long serving railway man who has written informative captions. Definitely one to consider buying.

Welsh Railways Research Circle Newsletter

The new book by Stuart Davies, a native of the Ogmore Valley and a life long railwayman, both in South walks and elsewhere, offers a comprehensive portrait of one of the world’s most intensive railway networks, a demonstration of the unequalled railway diversity of South Wales and a reflection of the variety of traffic, engineering enterprise, operating practices and locomotive types to be found in the region.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

South Wales Railway and Correspondence and Travel Society