In an effort to ignore the pain in my back I have taken to reading unfinished books. Today I completed 'The Railways,' by Simon Bradley.
This, I must say, is an achievement! This is indeed one of those books you can describe as a 'classic.' It is also very long, 551 pages before you get to the 'sources,' 'notes,' or 'Index!' It is also very detailed, it has taken me five long years at least, to get through a highly interesting, and very detailed, work.
We have here a very good Historian who loves railways and is capable of describing how they grew, developed and where they were at when he finished writing in 2015. Well illistrated with glossy pictures in the centre and a variety of drawn prints spread throughout the chapters.
The book covers the beginnings of railways, the carriages, the engines, the varieties of classes and prices, and how the railways made use of the public. The book covers the permanent way, that is the actual track to you and me, the variety of sleepers and the men working thereon. It does not dismiss the dangers working on a railway offer, many men have died, and it is even today still the workmen who are in danger, rarely the public. We read about signals and signallers, the land they crossed and how it was crossed, the variety of station buildings both great and small, the navvies who toiled by pick and shovel to create cuttings and bricklayers building bridges and sheds.
Simon discusses the activities at stations, and the companies and people who were behind them, how the layout developed, the people making use of them and the staff operating the railway by day and by night.
Railway travel made the UK in the 19th century. Carrying raw material into industry and carrying finished goods to house or export, also carrying the people into work and home again, one of the great joys of life is commuting even today! Raliways speeded up society, enabled travel to distant places for work or holiday, brought distant hamlets into daily contact with the world, usually by dropping off newspapers at stations. Railways had more influence of the world in the Victorian days than the computer has had on our world in the last 30 years. It is no wonder people are so besotted with railways, and flock to heritage lines to travel once again behind a steaming locomotive.
This book contains many words, it took me a long time to finish, possibly I ought to use it as a reference book, however, every so often I did enjoy it. I recommend it, if you have time...
Last night I took myself out to the club for a Spam meeting. I only remained for an hour or so as sitting there was not helping my back. It was good to see the old faces again but a bit uncomfortable. As you would expect from such a loving group of men no sympathy was on offer!
It was 'Valentines night' so romance was in the air, though not obviously from the faces around me. Two men brought the wife, how romantic, though one was ordered out early. Valentines day always brings a difficult decision, is it 12 roses or just one....or do you just give her the whole tin?
Today, somewhat surprisingly, things
appear better. I have forced myself to keep on the move, made use of
ice once again, and at this moment feel better than last night. The
morning will tell.
