The South Wales Direct Line

Download or read book The South Wales Direct Line written by P. D. Rendall and published by Crowood Press (UK). This book was released on 2014-05-26 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A history of Great Western Railway's direct line from London to South Wales, from the early 1900s onwards. With a focus on those who worked the line, South Wales Direct Line - History and Working includes the 'Badminton' line route, and all the stations and junctions between Patchway and the Severn Tunnel - an ideal resource for anybody with an interest in this important British railway. Topics covered include: How the line developed, from the opening of the London-Bristol line in 1841 to the building of Brunel's Severn Tunnel Duties of those who staffed the stations, signal boxes and goods yards The upgrade of 1975: how the South Wales Direct Line became the first dedicated high-speed (125mph) rail line and finally the future of the line: upgrading to high-speed electric trains in 2017 Route and station maps are included as well as hundreds of colour and black and white photographs. AUTHOR: P D Rendall became a Mechanical Engineering apprentice for British Rail Engineering's Swindon works at the age of sixteen. After nine years in engineering he worked as a Signalman, rising to become Supervisor of the Bristol Panel signal box. He has an Honours degree in Social and Community History, and divides his time between work as a social historian and in the mental health sector. He is a published author on many subjects, from the 1970 Bristol resignalling to the North Somerset coalfield, and has appeared on local TV and radio. 73 colour photographs