Going by Train - The Complete New Zealand Railways Story by Graham Hutchins

$60.00 NZD

Category: Railways

Railways played a pivotal part in the development of New Zealand's economy, towns and cities, and helped shape a distinctive culture. This is a comprehensive account of our railways story, from the earliest days of the colony, through rail's growth and golden days, slow decline and recent resurgence. Go ing by Train details New Zealand's railway development from its beginnings to completion of the main trunk, provincial and urban networks and the numerous branch lines reaching far-flung corners of the country. By the 1930s and '40s, railways dominated travel and became part of the national way of life, with trains for all passengers and occasions. Graham Hutchins, who grew up in a railway town and spent many years working on the railways, recounts the locomotives, the lines, the people and personalities in rail's colourful history. With competition from road transport, rail's golden glow began to fade, with line closures, corporatisation and reduced investment. But with renewed interest, its time has come again, with growth in tourist and commuter travel, line redevelopment and heritage restoration. This fully illustrated work gives excellent coverage of local rail's tribulations, triumphs and tragedies, written in a very readable style. Rail fans and general readers alike will enjoy its wide-ranging topics, generous illustrations, anecdotes and personal accounts. ...Show more

New Zealand Railwaymen at War 1914-18

$24.99 NZD

Category: Railways

When Nelson Had a Railway by Barry O'Donnell

$60.00 NZD

Category: Railways

For almost eighty years New Zealand Railways operated a line that extended south from Nelson. The expectation of Nelsonians was that sooner, rather than later, their region would be connected to the rest of the South Island railway system as promised by various Governments. Construction delays, rugged t errain, acts of God, politics, and the development of road transport all conspired against that happening. For over forty years Glenhope, a tiny settlement 59 miles from Nelson, was effectively the terminus of the railway, which after 1945 remained the only isolated section of the New Zealand Railways' network. This book tells the fascinating and frustrating story of the Nelson Section, and of the men and women who worked on the railway. The Government, having abandoned its promise to complete the connection, closed the railway in June 1954. A storm of local protest saw the railway offered a reprieve, but unable to attain the level of tonnage the Government required for it to remain open, the railway was finally closed in September 1955. Despite further protests - one of which made headlines on the other side of the world - the railway remained closed, and by December 1956 the Nelson Section had ceased to exist. ...Show more

Rails Toward the Sky: The Story of Driving Creek Railway by Barry Brickell

$52.00 NZD

Category: Railways

New Zealand Adventures By Rail by Denis Dwyer

$35.00 NZD

Category: Railways

Great Railway Journeys in Australia & New Zealand by David Bowden

$50.00 NZD

Category: Railways

  35 trips that highlight some of the most interesting, scenic and rewarding railway journeys in Australia and New Zealand. They include the renowned long-distance journeys, such as The Indian Pacific in Australia that takes travellers on a three-day trip from Perth to Sydney or the The Northern E xplorer in New Zealand's North Island that stretches from Wellington to Auckland, as well as those that traverse stunning scenery, such as New Zealand's TranzAlpine train or the Spirit of the Outback in Australia. There are also routes on which restored steam locomotives operate and other lines included for the wonder of their engineering.   Trains are a great way to travel in these countries, taking you at ground level past superb scenery that often cannot be seen by any other means of transport. David Bowden's entertaining text describes the route, the major features of interest along the way and any special technical details about the locomotive or the track.   ...Show more

Beauty Of Steam by P. Waller

$65.00 NZD

Category: Railways

The Kaikoura Job: Rebuilding KiwiRail's Main North Line by Rob Merrifield

$46.00 NZD

Category: Railways

The sea-level mountain railway has a long story of dramatic moments and events. The men who completed it in the 1930s and 1940s always referred to it as 'The Kaikoura Job'. This is the story of the scenic coastal line, from its early beginnings through to the reconstruction efforts following the devasta ting 2016 earthquake. ...Show more

Stations and Lineside Views in and Around London by Peter Tuffrey

$50.00 NZD

Category: Railways

'Stations and Lineside Views in and Around London' features photographs taken by retired British Medical Council researcher/author Dr B. W. L. Brooksbank and captions by railway author Peter Tuffrey. The photographs span the last years of steam traction c. 1946 to c.1962 and the book uses the M25 motor way as a parameter to define the London area. All the capital's main line railway stations belonging to the four former constituent railway companies are featured. Over 3,000 negatives were scanned while only approximately 250 photographs have been selected for inclusion to maintain a very high standard and give a real indication of this last gasp of steam. It is remarkable that when good photographic materials were painfully scarce after the Second World Wat that Ben Brooksbank was able to achieve some exceptional results from limited resources. Some of his images from the late 1940s are not only pin sharp but exude an almost palpable atmosphere of Britain's run-down post-war railways. He has captured freight trains, expresses and local trains along with staff carrying out their mundane duties or blatantly hanging off a locomotive cab eager to be caught on camera forever.Ben has photographed many of the railway stations in a dilapidated condition before massive renovation work. ...Show more

New Zealand Railway Motive Power by David Parsons

$49.00 NZD

Category: Railways

84 pages of colour photographs, tables, specifications, colour schemes, locations, and preserved equipment data. This book covers diesel-electric and electric mainline locomotives, electric multiple-units, diesel shunting locomotives, railcars, track maintenance equipment, and industrial locomotives up to 31 December 2017. A valuable source of information for all followers of rail in New Zealand. The most comprehensive motive power book yet produced. ...Show more

Train by Philip Marsh

$25.00 NZD

Category: Railways | Reading Level: General Adult

The great story of the age of the train is told through a wealth of photographs and memorabilia from the collections of the UK's National Railway Museum in York. Covering the development of railway networks in America, Europe, Africa and Asia, epic rail journeys across continents and technological leaps , it is an enthralling ride through the history of the train from the Rocket to the Bullet. Over 200 photographs are complemented by 20 documents that are printed on the pages. Documents printed on the page include: South Eastern Railway's Illustrated Tourist Guide, 1887, including timetable and tourist information for those travelling between London and Paris; Orient Express poster and SNCF marketing material for the launch of the TGV in 1981 and its record-breaking run in 1990. ...Show more

Making Tracks: A Whistle-Stop Tour Through Railway History by Peter Saxton

$39.99 NZD

Category: Railways

Cherished, admired and frequently used as an excuse for lateness, the railways occupy a special place in our hearts. Trains are not just a practical mode of transport, but also a way of tracing our social history over the past 150 years, from technological progress and design to cultural change and the impact they have had on our landscape. Full of facts, trivia and anecdotes, this engaging compendium looks at the heyday of the railways around the world, chronicling the shift from steam trains to diesel and electric and the challenge of running during two World Wars. This book also includes railway trivia from around the world, from the locomotive to the Japanese bullet train. A broad range of aspects is covered, from the types of trains and services, key people and station architecture, to station pets, accidents and crime, and the depiction of the railways in literature and art. Chock-full of information, and illustrated with line drawings throughout, this miscellany is perfect for railway enthusiasts, history buffs or those who would like to learn more about this fascinating form of transport that is so often taken for granted. ...Show more