{"title":"Ray Shill","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the captivating works of Ray Shill. Explore thrilling mysteries and suspenseful adventures, perfect for fans of gripping tales and unexpected twists. Discover your next enthralling read now!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"birmingham-s-industrial-heritage-book-ray-shill-9780750925938","title":"Birmingham's Industrial Heritage","description":"Birmingham was a renowned manufacturing centre by the 18th century and the city rapidly grew into the primary industrial centre of the Midlands. An account of Birmingham's heyday of heavy industry is recorded and the story is brought up to date with the story of the decline of heavy industry and its subsequent replacement by design, technology and computing. The proposed redevelopment of Rover's Longbridge site as a science park is symptomatic of this change.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49504467910929,"sku":"GOR001468501","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0750925930.jpg?v=1750744846"},{"product_id":"south-staffordshire-ironmasters-book-ray-shill-9780752448312","title":"South Staffordshire Ironmasters","description":"Several generations have now passed since iron making and working was an important trade in the Black Country. It was started by itinerant bloomers, who moved their bloomeries around the district to make use of local supplies of ore, smelting it with charcoal made from forest wood. Water-powered bloomeries were eventually replaced by blast furnaces, which in turn were replaced by coke-fired smelting furnaces. Black Country ironmasters had their share of success and failure, profits and loss, wealth and bankruptcy. Such is the nature of the trade that supply and demand created periods of expansion and then through over production an inevitable slump. Political factors also had influence. Wars created increased demand for iron for ordnance. When the battles were over and the wars won or lost, the bigger losers were the ironmasters and their workforce. However matters changed through the mid-nineteenth century, during the reign of Queen Victoria, when innovation and invention reached new heights.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49517422477585,"sku":"GOR005816730","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0752448315.jpg?v=1751009840"},{"product_id":"west-midland-canals-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445610733","title":"West Midland Canals Through Time","description":"This book is a study of waterways infrastructure and investigates through images and maps how the present midland network of canal and river navigations was put together. It is a complex history where some working waterways are approaching 250 years of existence, but where others span the distance of time with construction and modification extending right up to the present day. In some instances their existence has been sound and with other cases fragile. Many might have disappeared by now, were it not for a unique set of circumstances and a British passion for the past. English and Welsh Canals and River Navigations, in 2012, face one of the most of the most important challenges since 1948 when waterways owned and maintained by British Waterways pass into the control of the Canal and River Trust. The present situation is further complicated by the fact that not all navigations in England and Wales were nationalised. A portion of the railway owned canals had also been abandoned and some independent canals had closed before that time and were not considered in the nationalisation package.  Others, such as the Derby Canal, lingered on in private ownership until complete abandonment occurred.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49522394136849,"sku":"GOR006336469","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53516345409809,"sku":"GOR006482327","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445610736.jpg?v=1760522169"},{"product_id":"north-west-canals-manchester-irwell-and-the-peaks-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445618944","title":"North West Canals Manchester, Irwell and the Peaks Through Time","description":"The history of the canals and waterways of North West England, including the Ashton Canal, Peak Forest Canal, Rochdale Canal, Huddersfield Canals, Manchester Bolton \u0026amp; Bury Canal and River Ribble, is traced through old and modern colour photographs. This is the second volume of North West Canals Through Time. The first volume, North West Canals Through Time: Merseyside, Weaver \u0026amp; Chester, was published in July 2013. Canal historian Ray Shill explores the construction and technical developments of the canals and their social and economic contributions to the towns and cities they passed through, as well as the architecture they spawned and the legacy they left behind them. Within the pages of this book, the history of the canals will be unfolded to delight and inform all those interested in the canals of the North West.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49532226502929,"sku":"GOR006954539","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53450273947921,"sku":"GOR010872157","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/144561894X.jpg?v=1760522347"},{"product_id":"west-midlands-railways-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445644189","title":"West Midlands Railways Through Time","description":"While the first public passenger-carrying railway operated between Liverpool and Manchester from 1830, it was the construction of the Grand Junction and London \u0026amp; Birmingham that created the first long-distance, inter-city route from 1838. The meeting point of these two independent companies was Birmingham. The new railways came to benefit the town, through the carriage of goods, parcels and passengers and complimenting the already extensive canal network in the area.  In addition to the London \u0026amp; Birmingham and Grand Junction, railways to Gloucester and Derby were constructed. That to Derby joined up with railways to Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds, placing Birmingham at the heart of an inter-city rail network. The aim of this book is to investigate railway construction within the West Midlands, showing how the system developed and how it served both the needs of the travelling public and the conveyance of goods and merchandise.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49533985227025,"sku":"GOR009700414","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52963247194385,"sku":"GOR014671305","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445644185.jpg?v=1763483289"},{"product_id":"workshop-of-the-world-book-ray-shill-9780750935036","title":"Workshop of the World","description":"Researches Birmingham's industries - primarily the manufacture of components, paints and varnish, plastics, toys, aircraft components, and the food industry. This book interweaves company history and product development with descriptions of technical processes, as well as including site visits. It is also illustrated with a wide range of pictures.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49544976138513,"sku":"GOR002910872","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52112320364817,"sku":"GOR014490435","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53574148620561,"sku":"GOR007139173","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0750935030.jpg?v=1751328788"},{"product_id":"silent-highways-book-ray-shill-9780752458427","title":"Silent Highways","description":"A compelling new look at the principal features of the Midlands and border canals and the people who built them. This fascinating book delves into the forgotten history of the Midland and border canal infrastructure, including the Grand Union, Staffordshire \u0026amp; Worcestershire, Stourbridge, Stratford, Trent \u0026amp; Mersey, Worcester \u0026amp; Birmingham canals amongst others. Detailing the physical triumph of construction of canal structures such as aqueducts, bridges, embankments, locks and tunnels – the many structures that entail a lost heritage – this illustrated history also recognises the skill of the engineers who designed and built them and had such an influence on the waterways in this region despite the hardships of working conditions and poor finance that existed at the time. A must for all local and canal historians.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49550192509201,"sku":"GOR004236752","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52150600925457,"sku":"GOR014494233","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0752458426.jpg?v=1750978745"},{"product_id":"birmingham-s-canals-book-ray-shill-9780750920773","title":"Birmingham's Canals","description":"This title illustrates Birmingham's canal heritage, the development of these canals and the city's role as an inland port over a 150 year period. This selection of captioned photographs presents changes to the canal system in detail. They represent potted histories. The book serves as a pictorial survey that traces the change from industrial use to the canal city of the present day. It should be of interest not only to the boating faternity but to all who live and work in the bustling city of Birmingham and share an interest in their city environment.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49555582157073,"sku":"GOR001933540","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51606041952529,"sku":"GOR002687466","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52093612392721,"sku":"GOR009229653","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0750920777.gif?v=1751075743"},{"product_id":"wyrley-essington-canal-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445610634","title":"Wyrley \u0026 Essington Canal Through Time","description":"The Wyrley \u0026amp; Essington Canal began as an independent waterway, carrying coal from Essington and Wyrley Bank to Wolverhampton. It was a popular route, in high competition with the mines at Bilston, Cosely and Tipton, which were served by Birmingham Canal Navigations. In 1792 and 1794 the canal was extended, creating routes to a number of new areas  -  five locks were used for a branch canal to Essington 'New' Colliery, the highest point on the Wyrley \u0026amp; Essington Canal. Although useful in supplying water to adjacent navigations, trade on the Wyrley \u0026amp; Essington Canal failed to achieve its full potential, which led to closures along the canal throughout the period. Despite this, trade improved in 1840 when the waterway merged with Birmingham Canal Navigations. In this illustrated book, author Ray Shill details the development of the Wyrley \u0026amp; Essington Canal and delves into its fascinating history.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49561860866321,"sku":"GOR006803956","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53216342999313,"sku":"GOR014809865","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445610639.jpg?v=1760522007"},{"product_id":"east-midland-canals-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445611495","title":"East Midland Canals Through Time","description":"In this, the second of two books examining the history and development of canals in the Midlands, Ray Shill traces the waterways of the East Midlands, from the early river navigations, such as the Trent with its iconic Trent Boats and through the heady years of 'Canal Mania', when grand structures such as the Dove Aqueduct and Rainbow Bridge flourished and engineers pushed the boundaries of technology, driven by the advent of mining and industry across the region. The influence of the inland ports and the arrival of the railways is considered, as are the later developments that drew inspiration from canals on the continent. Finally, Ray takes stock of the current state of the canal system and celebrates some of the laudable conservation schemes across the East Midlands. This volume makes use of a stunning collection of rare colour photographs to tell the story of the region's unique canal system and its valuable legacy.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49568631324945,"sku":"GOR005648597","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53482121724177,"sku":"GOR014942257","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/144561149X.jpg?v=1760522186"},{"product_id":"north-west-canals-merseyside-weaver-chester-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445618913","title":"North West Canals Merseyside, Weaver \u0026 Chester Through Time","description":"This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which the North West Canals have changed and developed over the last century.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49591316775185,"sku":"GOR013765053","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50278291276049,"sku":"GOR010423421","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50316614762769,"sku":"GOR005475758","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445618915.jpg?v=1763226000"},{"product_id":"birmingham-canal-navigations-book-ray-shill-9780752427676","title":"The Birmingham Canal Navigations","description":"The Birmingham Canal Navigations lie at the heart of the British canal network and have a rich heritage that spans over two centuries. The BCN network developed over a period of one hundred years and served the busiest and most concentrated industrial region of the country - earning Birmingham the nickname of 'Little Venice'. Industrial trade was an important influence on the BCN; its winding route and many branches were shaped by the needs of the pre-dominant iron and coal industries, as well as the gas, chemical and glass works. Ray Shill examines the industrial archaeology of the network in The Birmingham Canal Navigations, looking at the structures, trade, work and craft on the waterway, as well as providing detailed maps of the network's various sections. He also considers the BCN's cottage numbering system, an often overlooked but vlaued part of the network's heritage. Once a busy industrial waterway, the BCN is now a place of leisure, with a hundred miles of navigation remaining, and continues to thrive as the centre of Britain's canal system.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49593430704401,"sku":"GOR003846162","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51400691417361,"sku":"GOR011613687","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0752427679.jpg?v=1750744269"},{"product_id":"northern-canals-lancaster-ulverston-carlisle-and-the-pennine-waterways-through-t-book-ray-shill-9781445633190","title":"Northern Canals Lancaster, Ulverston, Carlisle and the Pennine Waterways Through Time","description":"Northern Canals Through Time follows on from the previous title by well-known author Ray Shill, North West Canals Through Time: Manchester, Irwell \u0026amp; the Peaks, as a study of waterway infrastructure, in this case focusing particularly on Lancaster, Ulverston, Carlisle, and the Pennine Waterways from west to east, including from Nelson to Leeds on the Leeds \u0026amp; Liverpool, the canal from Rochdale to Sowerby Bridge on the Rochdale and the Huddersfield (Narrow) from Ashton to Huddersfield.  Through a similar ‘then and now’ study, in line with his previous titles, canal historian Ray Shill explores the construction and technical developments of the canals and their social and economic contributions to the towns and cities they passed through, as well as the architecture they spawned and the legacy they left behind them. Within the pages of this book, the history of the canals will be unfolded to delight and inform all those interested in the canals of the North.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49609071165713,"sku":"GOR007824425","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49634736210193,"sku":"GOR011375731","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445633191.jpg?v=1760521862"},{"product_id":"birmingham-and-the-black-country-s-canalside-industries-book-ray-shill-9780752432625","title":"Birmingham and The Black Country's Canalside Industries","description":"Coal mining and iron working prospered in the West Midlands in the nineteenth century, after the development of local industry, in particular metalworking and trades using coal, iron and limestone. Subsequently these grew industries in gas making, flour milling and the chemical trade, also beside the water's edge.  This detailed and informative book examines the development of the Birmingham Canal Navigation and adjacent waterways, as well as discussing canal construction and the various industries along the banks of the canal.  Much of the material in this illustrated volume is from archive sources and the book discusses the use of navigable waterways, canal carrying both locally and long-distance, the linking of the canals to the railways, the use of coal in steam and gas engines and the changes wrought by the development of electrical machinery and the road.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49724079997201,"sku":"GOR006059461","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50561488290065,"sku":"GOR011752849","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51206915588369,"sku":"GOR014198963","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0752432621.jpg?v=1751232529"},{"product_id":"birmingham-canals-book-ray-shill-9780752488561","title":"Birmingham Canals","description":"Birmingham is famously reputed to have more miles of canals than Venice. These canals contributed much to the city’s growth, bringing coal and merchandise from the surrounding areas. As the city prospered economically, it continued to grow and absorb neighbouring communities, a process in many ways bound together by the waterways. Although part of the national network, Birmingham’s canals, including the Worcester \u0026amp; Birmingham, the Stratford-upon-Avon and the Birmingham Canal Navigation, retain their original identity – and most are still in water and used regularly, albeit in different ways to their original industrial purpose. Fully updated and illustrated with stunning new photographs, this book captures the heritage, development and modern role of Birmingham’s canals in a way that will appeal to canal users as well as those with a wider interest in Britain’s second most populous city.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49732429447441,"sku":"NGR9780752488561","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50322304237841,"sku":"GOR006993044","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51521910112529,"sku":"GOR012714015","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52951993745681,"sku":"GOR010224135","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0752488562.jpg?v=1763119539"},{"product_id":"trent-and-mersey-canal-book-ray-shill-9781785008566","title":"The Trent and Mersey Canal","description":"The Trent and Mersey Canal first came into use in 1777.  A vital transport link for the industries of the midlands - indeed Josiah Wedgewood of the pottery was an early supporter - it carried coal, ironstone, limestone  merchandise, pottery and salt.  Despite the arrival of the railways and subsequently motorways, the carriage of freight continued up until 1970.  After inevitable decline, various restoration programmes have been undertaken and the waterway is now popular with boaters.  A working waterway for 250 years, the need to adapt to changing transport needs has been a constant factor in this canal's history.  With over 100 archive and present-day photographs, maps and plans, the book describes the need for the canal and the key personnel who were involved in its inception.  Engineering and constructions of the canal and its branches are looked at in detail along with further improvements to the canal and how these boosted trade.  A century of ownership by railway companies, subsequent nationalisation and later decline is discussed.  The book also looks at the people who lived and worked on the canal.  Finally, restoration, rejuvenation and the future of the canal is covered.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49741816594705,"sku":"NGR9781785008566","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51421088350481,"sku":"GOR014268629","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51517287432465,"sku":"GOR013142291","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1785008560.jpg?v=1751090887"},{"product_id":"north-east-canals-through-time-book-ray-shill-9781445633213","title":"North East Canals Through Time","description":"This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which North East Canals changed and developed over the last century.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51430032048401,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51430032277777,"sku":"GOR008887579","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51490979873041,"sku":"GOR014302094","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445633213.jpg?v=1760522212"},{"product_id":"great-railway-speculations-book-ray-shill-9781781559420","title":"The Great Railway Speculations","description":"The creation of the public railway network in Britain, which began in 1825, came about due to a desire for better transport links and to improve on the existing systems of canals and roads. Naturally for a new transport scheme, financing was crucial and came with a high degree of risk. Another challenge was to be found in the limited technology available at the time. Existing railways were used principally for freight, with traction provided by horses or stationary engines. Locomotive power was still at the experimental stage. What emerged from these circumstances were independently financed schemes based on innovative engineering.  The British parliament was at the heart of the process. It sanctioned each railway and was instrumental in imposing regulations and setting new standards for operation. With the success of early schemes came a greater incentive to invest in new proposals, and such was the clamour for new railways that parliament had to select the most promising concepts, thereby laying the foundations for the railway network.  This first volume of The Great Railway Speculations concentrates on the early years of the creation of the Midland Railway Network, between 1825 and 1847, when the risks were high and returns higher, and the government, realising the momentous changes that were afoot, tried to keep pace.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":52101721719057,"sku":"NGR9781781559420","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53562841760017,"sku":"GOR014962011","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781781559420.jpg?v=1757094298"},{"product_id":"great-railway-speculations-book-ray-shill-9781036157005","title":"The Great Railway Speculations","description":"The establishment of the core railway network in the Midlands by the mid-nineteenth century led to further expansion and the creation of four principal operators: Great Northern Railway, Great Western Railway, London \u0026amp; North Western Railway and the Midland Railway. A host of new independent companies also appeared and various joint lines and railways remained under independent ownership, but the operation of trains was in the hands of one of these four main concerns.  It was a period marked by intense rivalries, especially between the Great Western Railway, a broad-gauge operator, and the other companies which operated on standard gauge. In a short-term compromise, the mixed gauge was created, enabling the Great Western Railway to reach the West Midlands. Mergers and amalgamations were another key aspect of the period, with authorised routes being continually absorbed by the principal operators. Their shareholders profited from these takeovers, but there were plenty of schemes in which investors lost money, especially those that were authorised but, for various reasons, never happened.  This second volume of The Great Railway Speculations explores a period of outstanding progress in civil engineering and locomotive design, when the four principal operating companies expanded their networks and consolidated their operations to provide an improved public service for passengers, freight and parcels traffic. Opportunities to make astonishing returns on investments remained as rich as ever, and yet there were also many projects that ended in failure and ruin.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53478525272337,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":53478525698321,"sku":"NGR9781036157005","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781036157005.jpg?v=1778752631"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-ray-shill.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}