Eric Rawlins, Company Secretary to Wye Valley Railway Limited, from 1985 to 1995, has captured the story of the efforts made to restore the trains between Hereford - Ross - Gloucester and Ross - Monmouth - Chepstow, in his latest book Wye Valley Railway Story.
He assisted the efforts of local people in 1965 to fight the closure which ignored the financial contribution of the 57 miles service travellers to the fast Gloucester- London route.
Local trains operated for commuters, day trippers, shoppers, school children etc, plus visitors who enjoyed the entire Wye Valley from Hereford to Chepstow. Hotels, like the Symonds Yat Royal, enjoyed business extended throughout the year - their supplies were delivered by train even during the Christmas snow-fall.
This book represents Part 1 of the work of renewal so essential today, as the road system is choked by car commuting to the cities and larger towns. The new railcars, powered by environmentally friendly fuel cells, are also essential to combat the debilitation of the AONB which undermines the attractions for visitors.
Eric Rawlins says that the consultancies, supported by Government Departments, remain valid for updating and use by a new Registered Company. It took Brunel and his contractors only four years to complete the original lines; it has been estimated that with current technology it would only take two years.
Overall, the cost remains related to the price of one Euro fighter aircraft or the irrelevant Hereford bypass.
The book, Wye Valley Railway Story, of 316 pages, hardcover and price £l4.99 is available from Boss Books. Included are photographs hitherto unpublished and showing how inconspicuous the railway is in the environment.