by David Joy, former editor of The Dalesman

For the first time, a companion book for your journey on the reopened Wensleydale Railway. The text, by noted Yorkshire author David Joy, is accompanied by beautiful photographs – many in full colour – of past and present scenes on the line.

This is a very readable potted history of how the railway came to be built, with fascinating glimpses of the colourful world of the ‘railway king’ George Hudson. The local and agricultural background of the years in which the railway was built; its heyday, decline and eventual closure to passenger services, are all described in a lively style.

Following reprieve from closure of the renowned Settle-Carlisle railway in 1989, a group of Wensleydale residents determined to save their own line for future passenger services. Over the years they have been joined by many people from the wider community; their united campaigning led to the triumph of re-opening from Leeming Bar to Leyburn in 2003 with DMU trains (diesel multiple units). Subsequent developments have included the extension of the line to Redmire, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park; the re-opening of Bedale and Finghall stations; introduction of locomotive-hauled diesel services in August 2005, and the showcasing of Parry PPM technology on the line between Leeming Bar and Northallerton in September 2005.

A map shows the route of the line and there are descriptions of notable railway infrastructure and historic architect-designed stations, as well as the magnificent dales landscape. This book is warmly recommended as a companion for your own journey, as a souvenir or bedside book – and it would also make an easily posted little gift for friends at Christmas!

Only £2.99 per copy; add p&p of £1.00 for first copy, 50p for each additional copy to the same address.

Click here for an order form.