Britain from the Rails

Expert railway enthusiast Ben le Vay returns with a new edition of his much-acclaimed guide to discovering Britain from the rails. This latest edition adds new lines and destinations in Britain's fast-changing railway, while updating the guide to the classic greats. Thoroughly updated, it includes a full, fascinating guide to the new Borders Railway in Scotland, plus details of the new route from London to Oxford and expanded coverage of the eccentric Jolly Fisherman line in Lincolnshire and the charming Cotswold line from Oxford to Hereford. Also included are more details of the Far North line from Inverness to Wick and Thurso.'Now, finally, the network has a book to be proud of!' So said one reviewer of the first edition. Branch lines and 'secret railways' are covered, and so too are the popular routes such as the glorious East Coast main line to Scotland and the Great Western to Penzance. Regional treats include the famed West Highland Line in Scotland, the Settle and Carlisle railway in the north of England, and entire chapters dedicated to 'Wales Rails' and 'East Anglia: A Circular Tour'. Additional information ranges from the practical - such as a guide to the layout of some of the country's main termini - to the 'Inside Track: a window-gazer's guide to stuff to look out for on your journey' and intriguing train trivia. The best historic and preserved railways are also included, as are Ben's Top Ten Rail Journeys. Ben le Vay says: 'There are endless books about trains, about the history of the railways, about stations, signal boxes, carriages, wagons. as specialist as you like. There are also myriad books about British cities and countryside, about what is wonderful and fascinating about different patches of our unique island. But there were none that successfully combined the one type of book with the other (after all, you look at the country while sitting on trains) until now. And this is I do with deep knowledge, love and enthusiasm for both parts.'

"We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world - sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing landscape of Britain from the Rails!" Pete Waterman Obe, Chairman of the Waterman Railway Trust "Look out of those train windows and see another Britain. This is a richly researched and fascinating book, with a chuckle and a raised eyebrow at every page." Alastair Sawday "Whether you're a first-time visitor or time-served commuter, Benedict le Vay's book will open your eyes to the sights and history of Britain's best train journeys. And his choice of the top ten British train routes is spot on!" Mark Smith, The Man In Seat 61 "A quite superb, indeed incomparable, combination of maps, railway trivia, engineering isights and breathtaking landscape features to look out for." Michael Gove, The Times "This elegant guide is perfect for people who really want to know what they are seeing when they idly look out of a train window. The maps and illustrations add to the joy of reading a gorgeous guide." Adam Trimingham, Brighton Argus Magazine "Britain from the Rails: A Window Gazer's Guide by Benedict le Vay, tells you what you should look out for from your carriage window on rail journeys from Aberdeen to Penzance and all points in between. This is a book that will gladden the hearts of all who love train travel." Frank Barrett, The Mail on Sunday 'Gloriously quirky labour-of-love' Wanderlust "If books have personalities, then this one is eccentric, but very appealing. It looks as though someone else has already owned it, written their very useful notes in the margin, and sketched the most fascinating sights too. It makes you want to try out the train routes that are outlined for yourself- and why not?" RSPB Birds Magazine 'The whole book has a friendly, if slightly eccentric, feel to it.' National Railway Museum Review 'This book is an absolute joy' West Highland News

Benedict le Vay says he loves train travel because it's romantic, fun, comfortable, civilised, sociable, fascinating and doesn't damage the wonderful places you go to. To date, he has written five books for Bradt (many on the 'Eccentric Britain' theme) as well as holding down a full-time job as a Fleet Street newspaper sub-editor. He ascribes his early interest in railways to the fact that his mother grew up on his grandfather's private train, as the chief inspector of Indian railways. Later, as a London schoolboy, he played cricket next to the tracks where the luxury Golden Arrow train to Paris steamed past. Needless to say, he dropped a few catches .