Author: Philip W.L. Williams
Publisher: Mortons Books (Silver Link)
ISBN: 9781857944884
Price: RRP £35
Publication Date: 24th February 2020
Number of pages: 280
Format: Hardback
How Obtained: Purchased
For a hundred years Pontypool Road was a busy railway hub. The Eastern Valley and Vale of Neath lines both joined the main Newport to Hereford line at this point and trains would be combined from destinations in South Wales and the West Country and split on return. Locomotive and shed crews were kept busy!
Railwaymen of the Welsh Valleys 1914-67: Volume 1 by Philip W. L. Williams is a collection of memories from GWR and BR staff who worked at Pontypool Road engine shed. It was published in 2020 by Morton’s Books under their Silver Link Publishing imprint. Sadly the author died in 2017 before the book made it to publication.
Not only a Welsh valleys shed, but the Vale of Neath line as well
Starting with a list of dates for infrastructure updates to Pontypool Road shed and the Vale of Neath Line the Introduction features a comprehensive set of OS maps (from 1920) and signalling record diagrams covering the site and surrounding lines. The names of the main lines and loops are marked on the maps and are vital for the reader to understand the locations described in the text. Two chapters follow covering the recollections of drivers and fitting staff of Pontypool Road shed. In addition, memories of non-fitter shed staff are included along with those of shunting yard workers.
The book finishes with anecdotes from engine crews working the Vale of Neath line (the old Taff Vale Extension) which involved traversing the iconic Crumlin Viaduct. Liberally sprinkled throughout the book is a set of rare photographs.
Recollections: humorous, shocking and the everyday routine!
While so many books focus on the machinery and infrastructure of railways it is the experiences of working people which makes it truly come alive. In this spirit, this book is primarily composed of transcripts gathered from interviews with footplate crews and shed staff. These serve to shine a fascinating light into the working lives of railwaymen and include incidents ranging from the laugh out loud to the shocking. For example, one anecdote mentions the discovery of the remains of victims on the underside of an engine following being run over and killed!
But while there are some gruesome anecdotes, most are concerned with the everyday tasks of maintaining and running locomotives from the shed. The inclusion of nicknames such as ‘Full Load Phil’, ‘The Camel Rollei Jones’ and ‘Buster Williams’ (he broke everything!) provides a very personal touch to the narrative. While there is much interesting information, the book could have benefitted from tighter editing to make it more readable and concise. Likewise, there are a few typographical errors which do not overly detract from the text and a misattributed photograph caption.
The book is very well produced with high quality binding, paper and photo reproduction. A ribbon book mark attached to the spine is a particularly nice touch!
In Summary
This is an immensely enjoyable book which gives real insight into the lives of railwaymen from an age long since passed. Whilst it would be improved by tighter editing and proofreading I can recommend it and look forward to Volume 2!
The Good
- Fascinating stories reveal the details of working lives from a bygone era.
- Well illustrated with helpful maps, diagrams and photographs
- Produced to an excellent quality which is a pleasure to read.
The Not So Good
- The book would have benefited from closer editing to make it more readable.
- There are some typos. These are mostly missing words and the meaning of sentences are nevertheless clear except for the erroneous image caption!
Outline Contents
- Overview: The shed and surrounding signal boxes
- Pontypool Road shed: Driver
- Pontypool Road fitting staff
- Shed and yard
- Vale of Neath
About the Author: Philip W. L. Williams
Local railway enthusiast Phil Williams, was a contract structural engineer in the aerospace industry; a graduate of Cardiff University and a Research Associate there 1994-1996, undertaking research into carbon fibre wing panel design.
His father’s uncle, Harry Miles, was a Swindon trained locomotive fitter at Pontypool Road in the 1930s and the family has interesting links to the mining industry. His great grandfather was Thomas Williams, the Colliery Engineer at Tirpentwys Colliery from before 1902 up to 1912; and then at Crumlin Valley Colliery Hafodrynys and the Glyn Pits, from 1915 until he died in 1925 aged 76. Phil’s father’s great grandfather, Joseph Harper, was one of the 1890 Llanerch Colliery disaster rescue team; he worked at the British Top Pits. His father’s uncle, Williams Harper was the foreman of the wagon shop at the Big Arch Talywain. when it was owned by Partridge Jones and John Paton Ltd.
Sadly the author died suddenly in 2017 before this book could be published.
(From Mortons Books)
Related reviews
Railwaymen of the Welsh Valleys 1914-1967: Volume 2 by Phillip W.L. Williams
Rails in the Valleys by James Page
Reflections on a Railway Career by M.J. Dunn
Steam in South Wales: Volume 4, Monmouthshire by Michael Hale