RAILS ACROSS LONDON

This glossy paged, heavily illustrated volume explores and discusses the three biggest developments in London's railway for many years - the East-West Crossrail (Elizabeth) Line, the Thameslink North-South large-scale upgrade, and what may become Crossrail 2. All are aimed at providing extra capacity and relieving many railway routes of severe congestion problems. In the 1930s, the Government kick-started an investment programme that was cut short by World War Two and this book explores the severe consequences this had for the network. In reality, apart from some electrification works, the financial realities of post-war Britain meant that very little happened at all. The Victoria Line, identified as a prime requirement in 1949, opened over 20 years later. Now with the sleek long modern carriages and extra-long platforms on the Elizabeth Line, the book is a timely examination of the fascinating and often troubled history of attempts to improve railway connectivity in the metropolis. The New Works Programme of 1935 to 1940 was never completed and was succeeded by the ambitious County of London Plan of 1943 and its derivatives. These would have expanded the main-line railway network across the capital. Numerous reports had only limited success but resulted in some main-line electrification, and later the creation and extension of the Jubilee Line. Restoration of the Farringdon to Blackfriars link branded as Thameslink went ahead and the original Crossrail Bill, although defeated in Parliament in 1994, was later replaced by a new scheme. Plans for Crossrail 2 on a North/South-West Axis across London are being pursued actively. The book includes and analysis of the prospects for the mainline railways across London and over 170 photographs, maps and illustrations. 28.7 x 22cm.