The Elham Valley Railway :: Brian Hart soon to be presented for sale on the excellent BookLovers of Bath web site!
Bath: Wild Swan Books, 2015, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Signed by the author, without dedication, on the title page without provenance. Includes: Track plans; Black & white photographs; Maps; Maps to the lining papers; Appendices (2); Signalling diagrams;
From the cover: The Elham Valley Line originated from the acrimonious and destructive competition between two Victorian railway companies -the South Eastern, and the London, Chatham & Dover. What began as an innocent enterprise in the middle of the 19th century to promote a local railway project, suddenly erupted into one of the most vitriolic and passionate battles between the SER and LC&DR, where neither emerged triumphant.
From its modest origins and throughout the war of the 1880s, the author uncovers a captivating tale of intrigue, strategy and reprisal which embroiled the companies most senior figures; respectively its chairmen Sir Edward Watkin and James Staats Forbes. The struggle between these two railway giants resulted in the construction of a main line through the loveliest area of rural East Kent, but the unresolved tragedy was its lack of purpose.
Like so many railway lines, its prosperous era lasted until the ruinous World War of 1914-18. Afterwards, the competit…
Very Good in Good+ Dust Wrapper. Faint damp stain to the verso the lower panel resulting in some slight wrinkling, a really decent copy otherwise.
Green boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. (viii) 296 pages. 11″ x 8¾”.
Of course, if you don’t like this one, may I captivate you with this splendid selection from my Transport Rail catalogue?
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