Great Britain not only invented the main-line railway but has also led the way in it's preservation - not just locomotves and carriages but also the buildings and structures that bear witness to the confidence of railway developers, architects and engineers. This book defines the nature of the railway heritage - from signalboxes, viaducts, tunnels and locomotive depots - and then discusses priorities and the best practice for it's conservation. The subject is a strongly topical one due to current concern over privatization, the effects of planned high-speed rail links and lively debates concerning the role of the enthusiast in railway preservation.
"This book now provides an authoritative point of reference for all involved in this branch of building conservation, not least those who are going to be associated with the newly formed Institute of Railway Studies set up as an outcome of the 1994 York Conference." - Building Conservation
'These papers act as the springboard for proper integration of research into railway history within the wider objectives for understanding, conservation and public appreciation of the historic environment.' - Conservation Bulletin
'Highly readable, well presented and pertinently illustrated. … an effective and illuminating introduction to a hitherto neglected aspect of conservation and should be widely read not only by practitioners but those newly responsible for the management and stewardship of the railways themselves.' - Context
Overview: An agenda for the railway heritage. Philosophies for conserving the railway heritige. A bibliographical overveiw of the railway heritige. Historical appraisal: Historic railway structures in Britain: a continuing appraisal. Brunel as a creator of the environment. Railway engineering works: the legacy. Swindon railway village. Conservation: The conservation context. Changing attitudes to the conservation of England's railways. The Railway Heritage Trust and it's achievements. The railway trust and historical Scotland. The challenge of legislation: heritage policy and the Railways Act 1993. Londons stations: The Liverpool Street Station story. Major terminii. Underground architecture. Engineering structures: How British Rail property board manages the closed-line estate. The challenge of disused railway viaducts. Index