Mike Hitches

Having been established as a seaside resort since the seventeenth century, Scarborough was an attractive destination for the new railways of the mid nineteenth century, and the town became part of George Hudson's empire by the late 1840s. However, the line through Scarborough was not the first line to be built in the area - a line had been constructed in the 1830s connecting Whitby with the market town of Pickering. From such developments, routes were established which finally put Filey on the railway map, and several branch lines were built connecting rural outposts with the main lines. This book relates the development of these lines and their lives under the NER, LNER and BR, until their eventual closure under Dr Beeching. All is not lost, however, and the re-establishment of a preserved line between Pickering and Grosmont is also covered along with main line steam into Scarborough, recalling the wonderful days when Scarborough was descended upon by thousands of holidaymakers who would have come to this famous resort by train. Timetables and locoshed allocations give an idea of the locomotive types which operated in this area of North Yorkshire and the sort of service passengers could expect both on the main lines and rural branches, giving as complete a picture as possible.

A pictorial history of the railways around Stafford, Steam Around Stafford includes the Grand Junction Railway, the Trent Valley Railway, and the branches of the Great Northern Railway. Mike Hitches' evocative record recalls a time when these routes were busy with passengers, staff and freight, making mention of the modern system as well as the age of steam. The author looks in some detail at Stafford locoshed and the history of the private, Stafford based locomotive builder, Bagnall. The reader will find details of the locomotives Bagnall built, and contemporary records, some of which have not been published before. Illustrated with over 200 black and white photographs, plans and adverts Steam Around Stafford is an invaluable guide to a intriguing topic. Railway author Mike Hitches was born in the Midlands, and his informative captions will make pleasurable reading for rail enthusiasts everywhere.

The railways which operated in Worcestershire were controlled by the Midland Railway and the Great Western Railway, whose struggle for supremacy had considerable effect on the development of railways in the county. The most important route through the county linked the great industrial centres of the Midlands and the seaport of Bristol, while lesser routes included the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway, Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway, the Severn Valley Railway, and numerous branch lines. The photographs in this book illustrate not only the county's trains and locomotives but also many of the stations, locosheds and locomotive building works, and the picture is completed with timetables and shed allocation.

Warwickshire Railways is a fascinating account of the changes and developments which particularly characterized this stretch of railway. The struggles and battles between the various railway companies - the L&B, TVR, LNWR, GWR and NWR - for supremacy over some of the Warwickshire branches are here evocatively depicted by detailed introductory texts to each section. Archive photographs, some never before seen, period timetables, company advertisements and loco-shed allocations also add to the atmosphere and vividly conjure up a picture of a mode of transport that has, sadly, long gone. This nostalgic collection will appeal to train enthusiasts, local historians and the general public alike and is an essential guide to an important part of our railway heritage.

Cheshire Railways is a detailed insight into the branch lines of Cheshire. Mike Hitches provides us with a rich pictorial history, highlighting the golden age of steam, through to the sad closure of many of the county's lines in the 20th century. Crewe is one of the most famous places for railway history, as it was home to London & North Western's railway workshops and a major junction on the West Coast main line. Spreading from Crewe into Cheshire, are an intricate network of lines, some of which were established at the dawn of the railways. Cheshire Railways includes the fascinating history of Crewe, at the heart of Cheshire's railway system. This book will delight rail enthusiasts and fascinate those who are interested in this key part of Cheshire's history.

A history of Mon Ynys Anglesey

Planned by the Manchester & Birmingham Railway in 1845 - partly to antagonise the Grand Junction Railway - the Trent Valley line ran between Stafford and Rugby, passing through Lichfield, Tamworth and Nuneaton en route. Various railway companies were involved initially, but the line was soon absorbed into the London & North Western Railway, and became part of the West Coast Main Line. In his new book Mike Hitches tells the complicated story of the TVR in a clear and accessible manner, primarily through over 200 well-captioned photographs (including stations, engines, rolling stock, and the ill-fated 'tilting' Advanced Passenger Train of the early '80s, which was trialled on this line), track plans and maps. Sample shed allocations are included, as are appendices that examine various aspects of the TVR's history in more depth.

Giving pleasure to rail enthusiasts, local historians and the general public alike this is a photographic history of the three railway companies that served Wolverhampton before nationalisation. Written by Mike Hitches, Born and bred in the town this is an essential guide to its railway heritage.