The Barry Railway: A History - 1884-1922

[wokmad]

I too would have preferred the RCH maps in my PTR books to have been in colour, but that was ruled out on the grounds of additional cost by the publisher of what were going to be fairly expensive books. For that reason, the Briwnant painting of No. 20 is in black and white in vol. 2 and in colour only on the dustjacket of Vol. 1. Something to bear in mind.
Robin Simmonds

[Rhobat Bryn]

My primary interest is in 1950s BR WR, but I'm interested in the history because it explains how and why the lines that then existed were built and why, and how operating practices and services evolved. Even now, after the revolutionary changes which started in the later 1960s, what was done earlier influences what is possible currently to some extent. Stopping at 1922, without at least an overview of later developments, for me, makes the book much less interesting.

Many thanks for your comments Noel and your honesty. It is the convention in railway writing to write line histories and I understand the reason for this; you outline some of them in your post.

However I have deliberately chosen not to go down this route (pardon the pun) because it tends to ignore the effect on the wider society and economy in which it came about and existed and also came to an end. If one's interest is solely focused on the development of the network then what you suggest fits the bill. But it doesn't explain how the docks and railway led to the formation and growth of an entirely new town within a matter of decades. It doesn't explain how dependent or otherwise the people of the town were dependent on the company for their livelihood. It doesn't explain how the formation of the docks drew in a population from all corners and led to the creation of a culture completely new to the area.

I appreciate that these may not be matters of interest to you which is fair enough. But, to my mind, the Barry Railway doesn't just belong to railway history but to Welsh history as a whole and specifically industrial and urban history in Wales.

[Rhobat Bryn]

The final decision on the title can only realistically be made once the book is finished. I've got to start it first.

[GCC504]

Rhobat
Better to write for all self and no public rather than all public and no self. So said Cyril Conolly. That's what I go by. You must enjoy it and be offering your own viewpoint and style. Then you will be satisfied - and stuff the rest of us. You seem to know what you want to read so go ahead and write it yourself - but, be warned, it will require a lot of research and general reading around the subject which you will enjoy if you have the stamina and application. Otherwise it will turn out like a lot of populist books written by journalists wanting to make money which initially read well but ultimately are disappointing for us. Here I am thinking of the books that Anthony Burton churns out. They certainly have a market.

David & Charles had a good formula for railway histories and had a strong editorial hold on its authors. But I still like and still read them. Oakwood similarly. We owe a lot to those publishers. Nowadays the tendency is for large heavy books with too many large photographs and too much spurious ephemeral detail to satisfy those yearning for nostagia. Again, the easily available minute books mean that too many books are chronological irrespective of the main themes. Just compare the earlier Welsh railway histories with Peter Johnson's recent books that are straight from the minute books, starting with page 1. Similarly, John Thomas's fine writings on Scottish railway history compared to the boring tedious company histories that came out in recent years.

For something similar to your vision try reading M C Read's history of the L&NWR. Hard work, some would say.

I think you are starting at the wrong end. You should be researching your subject first - then the book will fall out.

Good luck. I do look forward to it.

Stephen

[Rhobat Bryn]

Hi Stephen

Many thanks for your comments; I know the depth of consideration you give to these matters so I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

The exciting aspect of this project is, as you say, the hard work of research and contextual reading. I say exciting because you never really know where the research will take you until you start; so I definitely intend to enjoy the journey.

As you suggest, the best books come from writers who are genuinely interested in their subject. If it is well written, that interest and enthusiasm will come across and engage the reader in the subject.

I shall certainly seek out Read's history of the LNWR so many thanks for the recommendation.

[glynrhedynog]

Re the Ports to Ports service: According to the RCTS Locomotives of the Great Western Railway Part 10, two of the Barry Class B1 locos were fitted with Westinghouse brake equipment for this service as the Great Central, a "Westinghouse" line which provided the coaching stock on alternate days. The engines were numbers 60 and 108. Apparently, this did not prove successful and they soon reverted to vacuum braking as the coaches were dual fitted. Two other class B1 engines, 38 and 43, were fitted with steam heating connections for the same service in 1910 as the Barry did not heat its own carriage stock.
The same source also reveals that numbers 111 and 122 were Westinghouse-fitted for hauling Rhymney coaches for the National Eisteddfod held in Barry in 1920.
I trust this bit of journalistic plagiarism goes some way to assisting your research.