This section will consist of ‘local’ railway books which may interest our members and other enthusiasts alike. Some books that are listed below, have been complied by some of our members and the Association is happy to publicise them although that does not mean any recommendation though, as that is upto the individuals who may purchase the books. New books will be added in due course.

When thinking of railways in Merseyside, some people will think of the extensive third-rail Merseyrail commuter system. Although prominent in the whole county and beyond, the area is regularly served by seven TOCs and three FOCs, which, certainly with freight, tend to get overlooked by many people from around the UK. With that in mind, author Doug Birmingham hopes to surprise many people with the large variety that has been recorded in an often overlooked region.The images in this book give an overview from the last twenty years of the variety of passenger and freight trains, including motive power, that have travelled in and out of Merseyside. This book covers all the main lines, including the LNWR line to Runcorn; Liverpool and Manchester line; Cheshire Lines Committee line to Warrington Central; and yes, surprisingly, a section of the WCML too. Other lines feature too, including both the Northern and Wirral lines of the extensive Merseyrail system, along with the Bootle Branch line that serves Liverpool Docks, as well as the Prescot to St Helens Central line and also the Kirkby to Rainford Junction line.

Paperback Book, 96 pages and 185 images including captions and introduction.

The book is available to purchase direct from Amberley Publishing here and all good book stores. ISBN: 978-1-4456-7554-1

This book, compiled by Paul Wright a major contributor to the Disused Stations website, is intended to be a stand alone record while also acting as a companion to the Disused Stations website. It follows broadly the same format but as a book, it will appeal to those who want to have something tangible to read and here available on their bookshelf. An area steeped in railway historythe subject terminus stations from North West England has been selected for this first volume, of a planned series, being such a diverse and interesting starting point.

In this book the stations are ordered by the year of opening, being a good way of showing how the network developed expanded and eventually contracted.

The book is available to purchase direct from Silver Link Publishing here and all good book stores. ISBN: 978-1-85794-316-0

This book, the second in the series, has again been compiled by Paul Wright a major contributor to the Disused Stations website, is intended to be a stand alone record while also acting as a companion to the Disused Stations website. It follows roughly the same format but as a book, it will appeal to those who want to have something tangible to read and here available on their bookshelf. With so many stations now on the website, it was difficult to decide which stations would / should be included in this book. Having started in Volume 1 with lost terminus stations of the North West, this book covers the same areabut contains a varied selection of intermediate stations. Once again they are ordered by year of opening, which is a good way of showing how the network developed, expanded and eventually contracted.

The book is available to purchase direct from Silver Link Publishing here and all good book stores. ISBN: 978-1-85794-371-9

Tony Cook worked on the railways from 1947 through to 1994, starting as a box lad with the LMS at the age of 16. Throughout his career he worked many boxes within the 8D area ranging from the humble British Alkali box on the Low Level line through to Warrington Bank Quay powerbox on the West Coast main line. In his book Journey of a Railway Signalman he shares his wealth of knowledge regarding signalling practices along with everyday encounters with some of the characters he worked alongside on the railways, often with hilarious results.

The hardback copy of this fascinating insight into the post-war era of British Railways is now available to purchase, with 340 pages, over 400 photographs and 56 diagrams. It is a credit to Tony’s drive and determination that, this self published masterpiece, gains the recognition that it thoroughly deserves.

The book may be available to purchase direct from all good book stores or more likely on the second hand market. ISBN: 978-1-52620-147-8