No 59 GLOUCESTERSHIRE (Central) (British Railways Past and Present)

‘British Railways Past and Present’ is a nationwide series of books featuring photographs of railway locations taken several decades ago and comparing them with the same scene today. Such is the current pace of change on our railway system that even a few years can reduce a busy and vibrant railway scene to a wasteland or housing estate - or conversely can bring revitalisation and up-to-the-minute technology to an outdated, run-down route.

The contrasts are often dramatic, while sometimes hardly anything had altered in 30 or 40 years. Whatever the change, the comparison of ‘past’ and ‘present’ will intrigue not only the railway enthusiast and historian, but also anyone interested in our recent history.

In this the second of three new volumes on Gloucestershire, are over 220 photographs featuring the main lines and branch lines open and closed throughout the central area of the county. The first volume covers the North Gloucestershire area and a third volume will cover the South Gloucestershire area.