Warwick author releases new book looking at Warwickshire railways

The book is part of the British Railway History in Colour series, produced by Lightmoor Press, and is the first of six about Warwickshire railways in colour
Written by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s
collection. Photo suppliedWritten by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s
collection. Photo supplied
Written by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s collection. Photo supplied

An author from Warwick has had another book published - this time looking at the Warwickshire railways.

The book is part of the British Railway History in Colour series, produced by Lightmoor Press, and is the first of six about Warwickshire railways in colour.

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Written by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s.

Written by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s
collection. Photo suppliedWritten by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s
collection. Photo supplied
Written by Andrew Britton 'Warwickshire Western Region Lines part one' is filled with many unpublished colour photos from the days of steam in the 1950s and 1960s as well as maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from Andrew’s collection. Photo supplied

It features a journey in the age of steam from Fenny Compton – Harbury – Leamington Spa –Warwick – Hatton – Lapworth – Knowle and Dorridge – Solihull – Olton – Acocks Green – Tyseley – Small Heath – Birmingham Snow Hill.

The book is also filled with maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from the author’s collection.

Andrew is a writer, author and retired school teacher who has written numerous books and magazine articles dealing with the golden age of ocean liners and steam railways.

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He is also the owner of a substantial historical collection of maritime and railway artefacts from ocean liner logbooks to steam locomotive chimneys.

Warwick 8100 (Driver Tommy Hanker Fireman David Brain @ Great Western Pub) 16 March 1962   H W Ronbinson.
Photo supplied by  Andrew BrittonWarwick 8100 (Driver Tommy Hanker Fireman David Brain @ Great Western Pub) 16 March 1962   H W Ronbinson.
Photo supplied by  Andrew Britton
Warwick 8100 (Driver Tommy Hanker Fireman David Brain @ Great Western Pub) 16 March 1962 H W Ronbinson. Photo supplied by Andrew Britton

It is also filled with maps, artefacts and treasured memorabilia from the author’s collection.

Andrew said: "The book is just out and is now being distributed around the country and further afield to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India and across Europe.

"Initial feedback by the national railway enthusiast press is that the book has been highly acclaimed.

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"Steam Railway, Steam World and Heritage Railway magazines are considering it as their 'book of the month'.

Warwick Cape Road bridge looking north towards Birmingham Up Cambrian  Coast  Express  11 April 1961  H W Robinson Britton Coll. Photo supplied by Andrew BrittonWarwick Cape Road bridge looking north towards Birmingham Up Cambrian  Coast  Express  11 April 1961  H W Robinson Britton Coll. Photo supplied by Andrew Britton
Warwick Cape Road bridge looking north towards Birmingham Up Cambrian Coast Express 11 April 1961 H W Robinson Britton Coll. Photo supplied by Andrew Britton

"I am just thrilled that it is perhaps my best book to date - all 302 pages.

"Hopefully it will bring back some happy memories to local steam enthusiasts as it shows, Harbury/Whitnash/Leamington/Warwick/Budbrooke/Hatton Bank and so on in the great days of steam.

"The real test will be what local railway enthusiasts think of it.

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"This book took over two years to put together and was more challenging to research than my classic liner series for the History Press or Once upon a Line series for Oxford Publishing.

"Living in this area, I grew up with steam in the sixties and had to get it right as I still live in Warwick today

"Today (January 27) I have just received my first fan mail letter from Rob Tibbits (son of the late Doctor Tibbits, Coroner of Warwick) who now lives in York.

"He has sent me a three page hand written letter praising the book saying, 'Your book has brought back many treasured memories of my trainspotting in the days of steam and all in glorious colour'. This comment really means a lot to me.

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"Similarly retired steam locomotive driver Vic Waite from Leamington Spa, said: 'This superb colour book tells the story of steam in this area, just the way was.'"

Forthcoming titles in this new series published by the Lightmoor Press include:

~ The North Warwickshire Line Pebworth - Long Marston – Stratford upon Avon – Henley in Arden – Hall Green - Tyseley – Birmingham Moor Street.

~ The Trent Valley Line Rugby - Brinklow – Bulkington – Nuneaton – Atherstone – Polesworth.

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~ The Rugby – Coventry – Hampton in Arden – Marston Green - Stechford – Birmingham New Street line and the Dunchurch – Leamington Spa Avenue – Kenilworth – Coventry – Coundon – Foleshill – Bedworth – Nuneaton line.

~ The Great Central line Rugby – Braunton – Catesby line and Stratford Midland Junction line Stratford – Kineton – Burton Dassett - Fenny Compton line.

~ The Nuneaton Abbey Street – Whitacre Junction – Coleshill – Castle Bromwich – Saltley line and the Warwickshire lines around Birmingham.