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Top 5 books on railways, featuring Terry Pratchett and a handbook from 1866

The author of Railways: A History In Drawings chooses his top 5 books on railways.

The author of Railways: A History In Drawings Christopher Valkoinen chooses his top 5 books on railways.

1 Fire & Steam by Christian Wolmar

An excellent place to begin a deep dive into the history of British railways that spans their birth to privatisation in the 1990s.

2 Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

The penultimate book in the Discworld series relives the excitement of Britain’s railway revolution in the setting of Pratchett’s wonderful fantasy world.

3 The Big British Railway Puzzle Book by the National Railway Museum

If you like to while away your time with a few puzzles, then this is the railway book for you. Fun puzzles alongside a great introduction to Britain’s railway history.

4 Bradshaw’s Guide: The 1866 Handbook Reprinted by George Bradshaw

Bradshaw’s Guide was indispensable for any Victorian traveller. This reprint of a 155-year-old tourist guide (complete with the original adverts) is a fascinating snapshot of every part of Britain and Ireland that could be reached by train in 1866.

5 The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway by Paul Karau, Mike Parsons, Kevin Robertson

I chose this because it is all about the railways where I grew up. My copy was gifted by my mum to her father in 1981 because he caught the train to school every day on this now-closed railway. No matter where you live, there is a railway book somewhere that delves into your own history. Search it out!

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Railways: A History In Drawings by Christopher Valkoinen is out now (Thames & Hudson, £50)

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