The Friends of the Far North Line
Cairdean Na Loine Tuath
the campaign group for rail north of
Inverness - lobbying for improved services for the local user, tourist and freight
operator
Keith Fenwick, Highland Railway Society, 2024
ISBN: 978-0-9927311-5-1
Softback: 128pp, 176 x 250 mm. £12.00 (£6.00 to HRS members) +£2.00 p+p. See http://hrsoc.org.uk/Publications.html
Those of us who never miss an opportunity to add another book about Highland railways, and especially the Far North Line, will be delighted to find Keith Fenwick's latest volume.
Completing the Far North Line was written to mark this year's 150th anniversary of the opening of the final section of the line from Helmsdale to Wick and Thurso. The first five chapters cover the process of railway construction north from Bonar Bridge (now Ardgay) which had been reached in 1864. The story picks up from where Mr Fenwick left it in his earlier book Inverness & Ross-shire Railway.
Every aspect of building a railway is covered in fascinating detail, with many photographs, maps and useful illustrations. The topographical problems encountered are laid out, including diagrams showing just how difficult it was to establish the route of the line.
Reading the story of the railway again it's seems all the more remarkable that this, perhaps unlikely, project relied so much upon the financial support of one person, the 3rd Duke of Sutherland.
Having described the building of the line, the main part of the book covers its history once opened, a tour of the line itself, with many interesting photographs, a detailed description of the operation of the line, and a brief summary of its financial performance.
Completing the Far North Line is an essential addition to every railway bookshelf and would also be much enjoyed by everyone interested in the history of this part of Scotland which is so intertwined with the railway. It is everything a good railway book should be.
David Spaven, Levenmouth Rail Campaign, 2024
Softback: 116pp, 148 x 210 mm
https://levenmouth.co.uk/
The reopening of the Leven branch in June this year is a great campaigning success story. David Spaven's book, written specially for the occasion of the reopening, covers the history of the line, the context for its closure and the almost immediate call for its reopening which followed. The final, successful campaign was orchestrated by the Levenmouth Rail Campaign (LMRC), which was formed in 2014 and this book shows how persistence can overcome high-level reluctance to understand the need an area such as Levenmouth has for a rail link and to be accurate about its cost.
All rail campaigners should read this book!