Railways Around the Fens

The Fens are a flatland area in the East of England, offering a unique opportunity to see Britain's railways in action against a picturesque backdrop. The Cambridgeshire town of Wisbech, once the capital of the Fens, is no longer on the railway map, but the Fenland railways continue to cross the countryside, linking Cambridge, Kings Lynn, Peterborough, and Ely. Passenger-train operators provide vital links to local communities, while longer-distance ones offer commuters and leisure travellers access to London and airports. Freight operators also cross the Fens, with the major port of Felixstowe ensuring a constant procession of container trains. The railways of the Fens offer a blend of modern and historic features, with manually operated level crossings and semaphore signals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The Fens, a vast expanse of flatlands in the East of England, cover approximately 1,500 square miles and are known for their proximity to sea level. Spanning Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire, the Fens provide a unique opportunity to witness the railways in action against a picturesque rural backdrop. However, it is unfortunate that the Cambridgeshire town of Wisbech, often considered the capital of the Fens, has been removed from the railway map. Nevertheless, today's Fenland railways, connecting Cambridge and Kings Lynn, as well as the cathedral cities of Peterborough and Ely, continue to traverse this beautiful countryside. Various passenger-train operators provide essential links to local communities, while longer-distance trains offer commuters a convenient route to London and leisure travelers a choice of airports. Additionally, most UK freight operators cross the Fens, with the major port of Felixstowe ensuring a steady flow of container trains through the area. The Fens' appeal lies in its rural setting, where modern railways coexist with remnants of a bygone era, including manually operated level crossings and semaphore signals. John Jackson presents a captivating exploration of the railways of the Fens through a vibrant collection of images and informative captions.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 164 x 232 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398117839