The Great Northern Railway, An Irish Railway Pictorial |
Tom Ferris £14.99
Midland Publishing, 4 Watling Drive, Hinckley, Leics LE10 3EY
Tel: 01455 233747
email midlandbooks@compuserve.com
ISBN: 1-85780-169-5
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Once in a while an absolute gem of a book comes along, and this lovely volume is just one. Until last summer, I had no qualification at all to write a critique of this book - or any other book featuring Irish railways. Irishmen everywhere probably think I still don't have, though a week spent on that enchanting island, enjoying the privilege of photographing some wonderful model railways, at least has given me an insight into some of the most endearing railway systems found anywhere in the world. My education was rapid, and for my knowledge of the GNRI I have to thank Harry Mulholland and friends in Lisburn.
The author admits a love affair with the Great Northern, dating from his earliest memories in Northern Ireland. There is no greater motivation for authorship, and Tom Ferris really knows his stuff. Though principally a pictorial book, ten most useful pages at the start give us a potted, yet comprehensive history of the line, its growth, rise to fame and final demise as an independent company. The closure of much of the system, especially the secondary routes and branches (long before the Beeching axe in England, Wales and Scotland) is well explained, together with all the political interference, betrayal and meddling between the North and South. Remember, the GNRI was a true international railway, much more so than the LMS, LNER or GWR.
To exploit the impact of the numerous pictures, the book is divided into logical sections covering the line's motive power, a journey along the main line and its branches, a look at the Derry Road, the line from Portadown to Cavan and its routes in the Irish North. There's also a glance at the company's trams and buses. And what of those pictures? Some are absolute beauties, beautifully printed and presented. Even where historical significance takes precedence over quality, the results are more than adequate. Every picture oozes atmosphere - right from the magnificent big 4-4-0s on the 'Enterprise', through to the last rites on the weed-infested rails at Keady, each one tugs at one's nostalgic feelings immensely. Even for one who never set foot on Ireland until last year, and who's knowledge has been gained through anecdotes and photographing wonderful models, this book is a must for all who love railways.
With books of this type, wherever the featured railways might be, one is always left with a sense of great loss. This is particularly true here, though there is a positive note to finish on. Though a shadow of what it once was, the re-opened Great Victoria Street Station in Belfast once more gives passengers access to the heart of this great city - is any station less central than Belfast's of that name? At least one can still travel the route of the old GN main line in a proper loco-hauled train, still proudly called 'Enterprise'. If one is prepared to look a bit further too, not just on the remaining GN lines, but deep into Eire as well, you can find wonderfully 'antique' locos and stock, lower-quadrant semaphores, beautiful stations and a railway infrastructure crying out to be modelled. Oh, and a welcome unsurpassed anywhere else on earth! All in all, a lovely read, full of joy (and sadness), but a celebration of a great railway, loved by many and run by generations of dedicated men and women. Buy this book, and take it on holiday with you straight away to Ireland, but don't forget your camera!
See our Modelling Irish Railways supplement for your chance to win a copy of The Great Northern Railway, an Irish Railway Pictorial.
Tony Wright
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