A combination of stunning scenery and popular holiday destinations has ensured that the railways of the West of England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, are amongst the most popular in the country. In a region dominated by the competition between the Great Western and the Southern railways, a fascinating network of lines grew up serving both the burgeoning tourist industry – itself fostered by the promotion of the region by the railways – and the local industry, most notably China Clay.
During the later years of steam in the region, numerous railway photographers travelled to the West Country in order to record the variety of remaining steam in the region. From the diminutive trio of Beattie well-tanks operating the Wenford Bridge branch to the classic Pacifics designed by Bulleid for the Southern, the West Country had a great variety of motive power that added to the popularity of the region amongst the enthusiast fraternity.
In this lovely new volume, photographer Laurie Golden captures the last era of steam in the early 1960s in the South West, which will stir memories both of regret and nostalgia for days that have now disappeared forever.
