AUTHOR Adrian Knowles begins this extensive illustrated history by recalling how a single photograph in a dog-eared copy of The RM ultimately led him to find out more about the Much Wenlock & Craven Arms Railway, which evolved through the efforts of five different companies. While the Great Western Railway is undoubtedly the best-known of these, the book does not scrimp on detail regarding the other parties involved.
It is meticulously-compiled, featuring not only photographs, letters and architectural drawings, but also three paintings by railway artist Sean Bolan.
People are as much a part of any railway story as the route and the trains so it was refreshing to see that much care has been taken to reflect this with a good proportion of illustrations reflecting the route’s social history.