Author: Philip W. L. Williams
Publisher: Mortons Books (Silver Link)
ISBN: 9781857945904
Price: RRP £35
Publication Date: 6th June 2022
Number of pages: 269
Format: Hardback
How Obtained: Purchased
Over time railway regulations have evolved to become ever more comprehensive. While past times were less restrictive in many ways, extensive rule books were nevertheless in existence. Stories involving bending or breaking those rules can now be told and they are often genuinely hair raising!
Many such stories are contained in Railwaymen of the Welsh Valleys; 1914 to 1967, Volume 2. Written by Philip W. L. Williams, it was sadly published posthumously by Mortons Books in July 2022 under their Silver Link imprint.
Railwaymen of the Welsh valleys was originally intended as a single volume. A change of plan to a two volume format was dictated by the quantity of material. Our review of Volume 1 can be found here.
The return of the railwaymen of the valleys…..
Sadly, as the author passed away before this second volume was complete, the decision was understandably made to simply reprint the Introduction from the first volume. The first of the three new chapters are location-based with local enthusiast and footplate crew memories from the Eastern Valley line, Main Line and Aberdare shed. The next section is, amusingly, defined as being about characters called Williams! Firstly a tribute to driver ‘Full Load’ Phil and secondly the recollections of trainspotter Dave. Finally, a chapter covers the later years between 1965 and 1988.
Many of the colourful characters from Volume 1 reappear. However, the emphasis is now on operational and footplate stories, so while the fitters of Pontypool Road shed are gone, we meet again drivers such as Tom Davis, Derek Saunders and ‘Full Load Phil’ Williams. The stories, though, are no less mesmerizing. For example the use of no less than three 2-8-0T locos to try and punch through the mighty snowdrifts of 1963 without the use of a snowplough to release loaded coal wagons. So much for safety procedures!
…but this time Including enthusiasts, spotters and some diesels
A contrast with the first volume is the inclusion of non-railway staff including enthusiasts and train spotters. This gives a different aspect to the narrative by providing a broader family and community perspective. Similarly, despite its subtitle which declares steam working, diesel locomotives occupy a small but not insignificant place in the book. Unsurprisingly, these are overwhelmingly the Class 37s so common to valley freight workings, but many others including diesel-hydraulic classes and DMUs are present.
In keeping with the previous volume there are many pictures which complement the text very well. Moreover, the overall production level of the volume is very high with sturdy hard covers and a ribbon book-mark built into the spine. There are one or two errors, but very minor, For example, on the railway map the Branches Fork Junction is misplaced. In general the book seems better edited than volume 1 with the narrative flowing more easily.
In Summary
A very enjoyable book of reminiscences from drivers and crews operating from Pontypool Road and Aberdare. If you can’t afford both volumes, go for Volume 1 for a focus on the work of Pontypool Road shed; volume 2 for more on operational details about Monmouthshire valley lines.
The Good
- A fascinating insight into the operation and running of trains on the twisty and steep valley lines in Monmouthshire
- A high quality book with substantial hard covers, good quality paper and a ribbon book mark built into the spine
- Great photographs which adds to the text
The Not So Good
- Some minor error and typos which are not obtrusive
- Introductory section which is repeated from volume 1. Unavoidable in the circumstances.
Outline Contents
- The Eastern Valley
- Mainline Memories
- Aberdare Loco Shed Memories
- A Brace of Williams
- Later Years 1965-1988
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 1 by Phillip W.L. Williams
Railways and Industry on the Vale of Neath (Taff Vale Extension) by John Hodge
Steam in South Wales: Volume 4, Monmouthshire by Michael Hale