200 Years of Britain's Railways in 15 Journeys

Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine…

E. M. Forster

2025 will be the 200th anniversary of the first public railway in the world, running from Stockton to Darlington, and marked the start of rail travel in Britain. Over the following two centuries the rail network was expanded to cover the country and includes some of the grandest public architecture in the UK.

Through a selection of 15 journeys this book will take the reader on a breathtaking illustrated tour of the most impressive stations, bridges and other rail structures across Great Britain to capture the grandeur of the great Victorian pioneers like Brunel as well as more recent redevelopments.

As well as existing stations, there will be illustrations of some of those that have been lost, recreated using archival drawings and photographs.

There are events and celebrations planned for the 200th anniversary and the book will be supported by Network Rail, including its Chairman Lord Hendy (who will write a Foreword) as well as other public bodies.

Filled with unexpected details as well as grand spaces, the book will appeal to the well defined market of train and transport buffs.