The book is beautifully presented, incorporating numerous illustrations of historical documents, plans and photographs, many of which include views of the railway and its trains. By its very nature this is much more than another railway book, and historians will be thankful that the author has brought together a written history of this fascinating story in which the nation’s defence chiefs and the railways worked together for many decades.

West Somerset Railway Association

"This book is a commendable study of the firing ranges, and the novel railways and tramways which served them at both sites."

Industrial Railway Society

As featured in

Railway and Canal Historical Society

This valuable contribution to the growing volume of high-quality railway history will introduce the reader not only to the long history of the NRA, and its railways, but also by implication, to the broader context within which they operated, a flavour of that lost can-do land that was to become the perplexed UK.

Stephenson Locomotive Society

As featured on Michael's Model Railways

Michael's Model Railways

... it deserves a place on any bookshelf as it provides not only a comprehensive and fascinating history of the activities of the National Rifle Association and the organisation's railways at Wimbledon and Bisley but also their place in the history of Britain.

Steam Days, August 2019

This is one of the most unexpected and intriguing books your reviewer has read in some time.

For those with a fondness for the stranger aspects of tramway history this lively and highly readable account will be a treat.

Tramway Review

A good story of obscure and long closed lines, this book is thoroughly researched and the author has made good use of the NRA records. It is unlikely that anyone will better this book which manages to set short railways in a political and organisational context. Recommended both for keen marksmen and rail enthusiasts alike.

The Journal of the Friends of the National Railway Museum, Summer 2019

A really interesting work.

Read the full Spanish review here

Miniaturas JM

It is perhaps surprising that so much material was found for a large book about a subject like this. The amount of research that has gone into this book is to be commended and production is to a high standard. There is a full range of b&w and colour illustrations, maps and diagrams, including a set of colour drawings of Wharncliffe produced by the LSWR when it was overhauled in 1893/4. The system was extended during both World Wars to serve military camps and finally closed in 1952. The most impressive thing about this book is the amount of detail it contains.

If you have any interest in this subject you are most unlikely to be disappointed.

Industrial Locomotive Society

Lots of photographs and plans that allows you to know the history of the National Rifle Association.

Read the full Spanish review here

Unes Cuantos Trenes Blog, Jorge del Valle

Christopher Bunch has spent many years meticulously researching this interesting subject and not only covers the former railways and tramways at the NRA site at Bisley Camp but also the original site at Wimbledon.

This book is a masterpiece and highly recommended.

Branch Lines & Light Railway Publications

This volume was a delight to read, and bids fair to become the Standard Reference Work on the NRA, Bisley and Competitive Target Shooting in the United Kingdom. As such it is likely to be of interest to both Military and Social Historians and target-shooting enthusiasts of all persuasions. Members of the military may also find it of interest. Railway enthusiasts with an interest in both the London and South Western Railway and obscure, little known tramways, may also find it worthy of their attention. Railway modellers may also find the volume’s photographs and plans useful.

Keith Rimmer, NZ Crown Mines

'Pen & Sword Books have some great new releases for your book shelf. We have picked out the best'

Waterside, 10th April 2019 (pages 52 & 53)

The volume accompanied by maps of the various polygons, photos of the various protagonists of the association and various documents will not be lacking on the shelves of fans of history of transport and fans of British history in general (since the book covers a bow Very vast thunderstorm, coming almost to our days). Another great book by Pen & Sword!

Read the full Italian review here

Old Barbed Wire Blog