Many people who enjoy a peaceful walk in the countryside add to traffic and pollution problems by using their cars to get to the start and/or finish of their walk.
One book helps them to realise there is usually a better and more enjoyable way. It describes walks between rail stations on the Cotswold line which goes through some of England's most pleasant countryside.
It gives detailed descriptions of 12 walks between Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Worcester, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford. Most of the walks are around 10 miles but there is one of 18 miles and one of only four miles.
The 60-page book costs £3 (post free) from Cotswold Line Promotion Group, Corner Cottage, Church Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos GL56 0LN. You could also join the group which is affiliated to RDS. Membership costs £4 a year.
RDS member Chris Magner has written and published a new book Severn Railway Memories. The 116-page illustrated book charts the decline and closure of the Severn Valley Line, its preservation and revival. It costs £9.95 from Chris Magner at 21 Dunval Road, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 4NA
To most RDS members What use are Rural Railways? is a strange question to ask. We know the value of railways. But a 64-page illustrated booklet makes it clear that they are indeed vital. It concludes that properly managed rural railways can become spines for economic development as well as providing an alternative to car and lorry use. The booklet, published by the TR&IN consultancy, identifies other benefits and ways that existing railways like Ipswich-Lowestoft, Derby-Matlock, Exeter-Barnstaple and Sheffield-Huddersfield could be improved. Author Paul Salvesen also looks at examples in Germany and Sweden where regional government has given local lines a tremendous boost. It also stresses the importance of good rail-bus links. Commissioned by Transport 2000 the booklet makes the key finding: "Buses cannot replace trains for longer journeys but they can, in certain locations, complement them." The summary report costs £20 (post free) from TR&IN, 6 School Lane, Berry Brow, Huddersfield HD4 7LT
All copies of the Directory of Rail User Groups, produced jointly by RDS and the Rail Regulator, were quickly snapped up. RDS compiler Peter Lawrence is already working on an updated edition which may be published shortly.
If you are aware of any rail user group or rail re-opening campaign which is not listed in the first edition, please contact Peter Lawrence, 75 Marl Pit Lane, Norwich NR5 8XH. e-mail peter.lawrence@paston.co.uk
A new book entitled The Locomotives of James Cudworth has been written and published by Charles Fryer who has written 10 other railway books. The book — about the South Eastern Railway locomotive superintendent from 1844 to 1876 — is available for £3.50 including post and packing from Mr Fryer at 25 Vicar Street, Cork, Ireland.
You can email Railwatch editor Ray King at editor@railwatch.org.uk (or just click on this link), e-mail Deltic Design with comments about the Railwatch Web pages, or visit their web site.
RiscPC