Authors Paul Lawton and David Southern continue this series of pocket books exploring Wales’ railway heritage, each revealing a ‘lost line’ of Wales.

In this addition, take a nostalgic steam-powered journey back in time on the long-closed service between Corwen and Rhyl. A historic line dating back to 1856, passenger services were depleted and finally withdrawn during the 1950s. In the early part of the 19th century Rhyl was a small fishing port, with a population of 3,049 in 1851. Few of the locals had any real idea what changes the railway would bring in its tracks.

The closure of many of these lines has had significant and lasting impact, and the recovery of some routes is of public relevance and a source of debate today. The history and social background of the railway and its passengers is explored station by station. Photo-illustrated throughout, its story is brought vividly to life through extensive research and archive photography, some of which has never been published before.

Paul Lawton grew up in Somerset next to the Cheddar Valley line and adds personal insight to this tour through its former stations. He later moved to Wales, writing extensively on the history and railway history of Denbighshire, and is the co-author of three titles in the Lost Lines of Wales series: Rhyl to Corwen, Bangor to Afon Wen and Conwy Valley Line.

David Southern.