The Private Railways of County Durham

The Private Railways of County Durham\n\nby Colin E. Mountford  IRS 2004\nThe Society has reprinted Colin Mountford\u2019s much acclaimed book on the \u201CPrivate Railways of\n County Durham\u201D. North East England was the birthplace of both the steam\n locomotive and of railways. All of the public railway systems in County\n Durham eventually came under the control of the North Eastern Railway; \nbut alongside the N.E.R. there developed an extensive and much less \nknown system of private railways.\nOne was the first-ever railway to \nbe designed to use locomotives; another was one of the largest private \nrailways in Britain; many incorporated rope haulage alongside steam, and\n later diesel, locomotives; two were electrified, one of them narrow \ngauge; four operated a public passenger service; another served one of \nEngland\u2019s most remote areas. With 315 photographs and 86 maps and other \nillustrations.