Author: James Page
Publisher: David and Charles
ISBN: 0715389793
Price: S/H around £5 to £15 depending on condition
Publication Date: 1989
Number of pages: 192
Format: Hardback
How Obtained: Purchased
We often assume that complex logistics and just-in-time delivery are recent developments. But on the South Wales valleys railways a century ago such a system was in operation using nothing more advanced than paper and telephone.
Originally published by David and Charles in 1989, Rails in the Valleys by James R Page describes the growth, day-to-day running and subsequent decline of the valleys railways. This review is the first of a series of ‘retro reviews’ looking at books which are now out of print, though still readily available on the second hand market in a range of condition and prices.
Valleys Railways: Managing the Complexity
Page chooses to organize his book by topic rather chronologically or geographically. Starting with a typical journey as a passenger on a valley train from Cardiff to Merthyr in the 1950s it moves on to deal with the preeminent coal traffic and how the South Wales rail network developed. Other sections deal with aspects of rail infrastructure such as stations, engine sheds and ports.
Many railway books focus on aspects such as engines, rolling stock, personalities or the history of a line. However, Page adds a description of the way in which communication, administrative and operational factors played a crucial role in valley railways. Consequently the reader gains an insight into a complex network where many independent companies operated a bewildering array of locomotives and services. The level of integration required to avoid the whole system grinding to a complete halt was extraordinary.
The Story Behind the Photographs
Armed with this background, the photographs which are a central feature of the book have additional meaning. Although images from the 1950s predominate, many examples cover the period from the 1880s to the 1960s. Reading the text, the reader can appreciate just what effort has already gone into enabling the train to reach the point depicted in the photograph and just what effort is yet required to get it safely and efficiently to its destination.
This is clearly demonstrated in the chapter entitled Moving the Coal. Page gives an outline of the numerous steps involved starting with an enquiry by a customer or their agent at Cardiff Coal Exchange through to a fully laden ship leaving one of the South Wales ports such as Newport or Barry.
The only real criticism of the book is the somewhat idiosyncratic sequence of the chapters. For example, the chapter on moving the coal precedes a chapter called The Valleys Awake which describes how the network evolved. As a result the overall flow of the book is somewhat interrupted, although the material within in each chapter is logical and well presented.
In Summary
Rails in the Valleys is a very well written book which combines understanding of the operational practicalities of running a complex network with personal insight and anecdotes. When buying a copy, try and get one with the dust cover carrying illustrations of paintings by Gwyn Briwnant Jones.
The Good
Insight into the running, organization and operation of the valleys railways.
Portrays the sheer complexity of the system and the quantity of good transported.
Terrific selection of pictures.
The Not So Good
Odd sequence of chapters dealing with historical development.
Outline Contents:
- Journeys in the Valleys
- Moving the Coal
- The Valleys Awake
- City, Town and Seaside
- Engines Large and Small
- Valley Sheds and Stations
- Cake Trains and Wet Fish (Reviewers Note: This is not a misprint for coke, it deals with the delivery of goods of the culinary kind!)
- South Wales Ports
- The LMS
- Rural Byways
About the Author: James Page
James Page is one of the best known authorities on the railways of South Wales. He has lived and breathed the subject for decades and has a happy aptitude for citing stories with human background as well as remembering vast array of technical details.
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