The South Wales Direct Line

With a focus on those who worked the line, this book includes the 'Badminton' line route, and all the stations and junctions between Patchway and the Severn Tunnel. It is suitable for anybody with an interest in this important British railway.

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A history of Great Western Railway's direct line from London to South Wales, from the early 1900s onwards. With a focus on those who worked the line, South Wales Direct Line - History and Working includes the 'Badminton' line route, and all the stations and junctions between Patchway and the Severn Tunnel - an ideal resource for anybody with an interest in this important British railway. Topics covered include how the line developed, from the opening of the London-Bristol line in 1841 to the building of the Severn Tunnel; duties of those who staffed the stations, signal boxes and goods yards;

the upgrade of 1975: how the South Wales Direct Line became the first dedicated high-speed (125mph) rail line and finally the future of the line: upgrading to high-speed electric trains in 2017. Route and station maps are included as well as hundreds of colour and black & white photographs.