Straddling the border between England and Wales, the railway linking Shrewsbury to Chester has been serving the communities along its length since 1848, as well as being, for over a century, a key component of the Great Western Railway’s main line from the Mersey to London. It still remains busy with passenger trains and some freight, so it is not lost in the conventional sense, however, this pictorial journey along what remains an attractive and scenic line focuses on its heyday in the age of steam hauled-trains. Whilst much of the infrastructure of the steam age has been swept away, the line is still busy and remains an important transport link.

Lost Lines of England series:

• Birmingham to Oxford
• Ryde to Cowes
• Cheddar Valley Line

Lost Lines of Wales series:

• Cambrian Coast Line
• Ruabon to Barmouth
• Aberystwyth to Carmarthen
• Brecon to Newport
• Vale of Neath
• Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth
• The Mid Wales Line
• Chester to Holyhead
• Bangor to Afon Wen
• Rhyl to Corwen
• The Heads of the Valleys Line
• Conwy Valley Line
• Llandovery to Craven Arms

Written by Tom Ferris

The foreword and introduction describe succinctly and knowledgeably the history of each line, mentioning other lines it connected with. The route is then illustrated by carefully selected quality captioned photographs displaying much variety. Every photograph has a steam train in it and along with describing the location the author explains the features that caused that particular class of locomotive to be used. The device of bleeding the photographs to the edge of the page with no white borders is dramatic. Although he does not say so, these books are a celebration of the work of enthusiastic post-World War II railway photographers. [...] Good value for money for a wide audience.'Journal of the Railway & Canal Historical Society