Typical questions

Considerations

There is a huge interest in railways, both from the historical perspective (cultural and local history) and the modern concern for improving public transport services and reducing carbon emissions. Not forgetting the train spotters and model makers!

Where to look

General

Butcher, A. C. (ed.), Railways restored, Ian Allen. Annual Overall picture plus technical details.

A comprehensive guide to Britain's railways, 9th edn, Emap. Annual

Guide and directory to the routes, operating companies and infrastructure of today's rail network.

Glover, J. (2005) ‘Modern Railways’ dictionary of railway industry terms, Ian Allan

Holland, J. (2007) Amazing and extraordinary railway facts, David & Charles

Jackson, A. A. (2006) The railway dictionary: worldwide railway facts and terminology, 4th edn, Sutton Publishing

The modern railway: directory, review, opinion, reference, Ian Allen. Annual

Standard reference source for the railway industry.

Thomas, D. St. J. et al. (1960–) A regional history of the railways of Great Britain, David & Charles

The standard 14-volume series covering the UK.

Ottley, G. (1983) A bibliography of British railway history, 2nd edn, HMSO;

Supplement (1988), HMSO

Railway directory, DVV Media UK. Annual

Worldwide coverage of companies, personnel, statistics, suppliers and maps. Available also as subscription website.

Journals and magazines

Modern Railways Ian Allen. Monthly

Fairly technical.

The Railway Magazine, IPC. Monthly

Today's Railways, Platform 5 Publishing. Monthly

Maps and atlases

Baker, S. K. (2007) Rail atlas of Great Britain and Ireland, 11th edn, Midland Counties Publications.

Every operating line, whether passenger, private, freight or narrow gauge.

Ball, M. G. (1996) European railway atlas, Ian Allen, 3 vols

Wignall, C. J. (1985) Complete British railways maps and gazetteer from 1825 to 1985, OPC Railprint

Timetables

Bradshaw's April 1910 railway guide (1968 reprint) David & Charles

Bradshaw's railway timetables were published from 1840. This reprint shows the full extent of the UK rail network at its height.

European rail timetable, Thomas Cook. Monthly

Covers 40 countries including the UK, but does not give full details of purely local services.