The Railways of New Zealand: A Journey Through History
by Geoffrey Churchman and Tony Hurst
Second Edition
ISBN 0-908876-20-3
224 pages in 286 x 213 mm format on high quality paper, case bound with endpapers and jacket, over 300 photos. more than half of them in colour. Silver foil blocked cover and spine text.
Weight: 1235 grams
RRP $59.95
The first edition of this lavishly illustrated history of the entire New Zealand Railways network was published in 1990 and was quickly snapped up to the extent it featured for 3 months in the national top 10 bestseller list.
Today second hand copies change hands at twice the original retail price.
To meet the constant enquiries for copies, we decided to produce this totally updated and revised edition. It includes 39 colour photos and 58 monochrome photos that were not in the first edition. In all it is an essential book for anyone interested in the history of New Zealand's railways and general history.
"A splendidly produced and authoritative work, this is the definitive reference book for anyone with an interest in New Zealand's rail history."-
-Waikato Times
"A must for rail fans
Reviewed by Jim McLees, Wanganui Chronicle
In 1990 the first edition of this book, published to mark New Zealand's sesquicentenary 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi appeared.
And a handsome edition it was, too, a valuable contribution to New Zealand's rich railway history.
The dawn of a new millennium, allied with the tempestuous changes that have taken place on and with our railway system over the past 10 or so years, inspired the authors to produce an update.
And they have done an excellent job. The beautifully presented book features a new look cover and a fair scattering of new photographs, many featuring evocative old black-and-whites of steam locomotives at work, plus a potted history of the last 10 years and a look into the crystal ball.
There's plenty of interest for Wanganui rail fans, and the excellent photographs of this district that featured in the first edition have thankfully, been retained.
And this includes my favourite: that wonderful shot taken more than 50 years ago of an X- class locomotive hauling a load of four-wheelers through Bonny Glen on its way from Marton to Wanganui. One of today's diesel-electrics could handle a load that size without getting out of notch two, but it certainly wouldn't look as handsome or sound as good.
Messrs Churchman and Hurst are to be congratulated on publishing a second edition of their comprehensive history on New Zealand's railway system. It is a book that would grace any home library, and a must for anyone with an interest in the significant role railways has played in New Zealand's history.
A final thought: with the way Tranz Rail is heading as it hives off various parts of the system and what were once railways' core activities, another Churchman-Hurst update in 2010 would make for very interesting reading."
"As a one-stop reference to the rise and fall of New Zealand's railways it has no equal." - New Zealand Railfan
