The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 Hardback - 236 pages. Author David Wragg ISBN 0-7509-4217-7 Published by Sutton Publishing

The GWR must be the most documented railway in history and it is all the more surprising that authors can find yet more material. This book covers a period from the grouping in 1923 until nationalisation in 1947. As the name suggests it is a selection of substantial notes on the many aspects of railway operation, from its amalgamation of many minor railways, its operation during the war and what the future may have held if nationalisation had never happened. The sections on the GWR Air Services, Road Transport & Shipping are particularly interesting as many books tend to gloss over this non-railway aspect. As with the other members of the Big Four it offered an all in transport service, including Hotels. Nationalisation soon put a stop to all that !! Surprisingly there is a lot of new material and new angles on a lot of of previously published information. It is packed with photographs, all in black & white, many I suspect published for the first time. It makes up into a first class reference work which I am sure the legions of GWR enthusiasts will welcome.

Colin Usher