An illustrated history of the branch line which linked Preston with the seaside resort of Southport. The line opened during the height of 'railway mania' in the late 19th century, but was far less successful than anticipated and was closed following the 1963 Beeching Report.
This book looks at how the railway came into existence as well as looking at how it was used throughout its history. It also looks at the reasons for the closure of the line in 1964 and chronicles the latter days of the line's existence.
Chapter List:
- Chapter 1: The Victorian Railway Mania and its Aftermath
- Chapter 2: The Origin and Construction of the West Lancashire Railway
- Chapter 3: The Liverpool, Southport & Preston Junction Railway
- Chapter 4: The Tarleton Branch and PS Virginia
- Chapter 5: Operations on the West Lancashire Railway
- Chapter 6: Aspirations, Subsumption, Grouping and Nationalisation
- Chapter 7: All Stations to Southport
- Chapter 8: The Heyday of the Preston to Southport Branch
- Chapter 9: Modernisation: The Beginning of the End
- Chapter 10: A Night to Remember: 6 September 1964
- Chapter 11: Not au Revior but Goodbye to the Preston to Southport Railway
- Chapter 12: Memories: Lament for a Branch Line
Lament for a Branch Line: The Preston to Southport Railway is superbly illustrated with over 500 archive black & white photographs and maps and traces the history of this rural Lancashire branch line. Hardback. 160 pages.