First Edition 192 clean, tightly-bound pages with index. Illustrated throughout text with historical bw photos and lithograph reproductions. Cartographic endpapers. Dark brown boards with bright gold lettering on spine. No wear on covers or spine. Illustrated DJ clean and without wear; not price clipped, preserved. "In this detailed historical survey, the author has used contemporary reports, documents and time tables to create the distinctive flavour of 'God's Wonderful Railway'. The story comes up to date with the GWR 150th anniversary celebrations of 1985." Other highlights include the first train recorded as exceeding 100 mph; Britain"s first railway refreshment rooms; famous crashes, including the Didcot disaster. Significantly, the GWR was initially created as a straight line from Bristol to London, rather than London to Bristol. A subtle variation of emphasis that embodied the Cities pride in being the commercial capital of the West. The GWR was the greatest work of Brunel, creator also of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. pen inscription.
