A ROSS-on-Wye-based author has written a richly detailed and illustrated account of the railways formed between 1845 and 1900 across Herefordshire and the Southern Marches.

Heather Hurley, who has previously published books on The Monmouth and Hereford Railway; and the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway along with The Story of Ross and the Pubs of South Herefordshire, demonstrates in her new book ‘The Railways of Herefordshire and the Southern Marches’ the importance of the early railways in a detailed and accurate account that provides new material for future scholars.

Unpicking the often-haphazard network of the early railways, Heather’s book traces the lines and infrastructure, the stations, bridges and tunnels, the investors, engineers and navvies, and the charismatic steam locomotives that criss-crossed the region up until the 1960s.

The book is the result of extensive fieldwork and research into the archives of the 18 railway companies that sought to establish lines in the region, drawing on Acts of Parliament, toll tables, company minutes and accounts, plans and maps, newspapers, journals and walking tours of the lines themselves.

Although individual railways have been well recorded in many publications, this is believed to be the first covering the early railways of this part of the country in a single volume.

The book has more than 350 illustrations, including contemporary and historical photographs, prints, maps and documents and provides a fascinating and richly-illustrated overview of the region’s historical railway network.

Heather has been out and about giving presentations to local groups and organisations detailing her research for her book which follows the challenges, both physical and financial, throughout a period of railway mania.

The book is published by Logaston Press, an independent publishing company based in Herefordshire and is available at local bookshops.