"...a well researched history..."

Model Engineer - 1 November 2024

REVIEW OF THE MONTH

"Narrow gauge and minor railways expert Peter Johnson has written yet another ‘everything you need to know’ book, and gone more than an extra mile to bring together the best of other published works with his own illustrations of what’s still to be seen today. No fewer than 21 appendices cover everything from construction costs, dreadful traffic returns station track layouts, the rolling stock, the names of employees and their wages, and many photographs of the gravestones of the principal figures. Every page contains dozens of interesting facts, which says a lot about the quality of this book."

Steam World - May 2024

"...the book remains perhaps the published foundation work for the fascinating history of this surprisingly complex line..."

Tenterden Terrier (Col. Stephens Railway Museum)

"Aiming to be a foundation work for this, surprisingly complex, little line..."

Journal of the Railway & Canal Historical Society

As reviewed in

Branch Line News - July 2024

As featured by

The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway's Journal No 203

"This packed book starts with a full map of the S&MLR showing all 19 stations and then goes on to offer a fully comprehensive history of the railway including its predecessor..."

Railway Ramblers - No182

"The book is very well produced and a product of considerable research and background knowledge from an author renowned for other work on narrow-gauge and light railways...Those with an interest in the area or in light railways generally will find the book an invaluable source."

The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society, The Railway Observer - June 2024, Volume 94

"Those that enjoy finite details will particularly enjoy the 40 page appendices which offer a wide range of information on stations and sidings, staff, figures from 1866 to the war office years, not forgetting the various Acts of Parliament and Locomotives & Rolling Stock with additional photos as well."

EPB Members Magazine - April 2024

"The book is well produced and a product of considerable research and background knowledge from an author renowned for other work on narrow-gauge and light railways.

Those with an interest in the area or in light railways generally will find the book an invaluable source."

The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society, The Railway Observer - May 2024, Volume 94

"The Shropshire & Montgomeryshire was one of those quirky rural byways which acquired a degree of popular attention out of all proportion to its role in the local economy. Indeed, it should probably never have been built, at least not as a passenger-carrying railway, but for its large fan club this book should be worth acquiring."

Industrial Railway Society Bulletin 1126, May 2024

"Production is a credit to both author and publishers. On the strength of this volume we can look forward to Peter Johnson's forthcoming book on the Tanat Valley Light Railway."

National Railway Museum Review – The Journal of the Friends of the National Railway Museum – No187, Spring 2024

"...this is a well researched railway history and arguably the author's best yet."

Welsh Railways research Circle Newsletter no 177 for Spring 2024

As featured

Welsh Highland Railways Journal Snowdon ranger No126/Spring 2024

As featured

Swanage Railway Magazine No 133 Spring 2024

"The turbulent years of this railway known as the Potts Line locally, has not seen its memory fade, while its adoration by locals and enthusiasts alike should see this book sell well."

Heritage Railway magazine No 317 (March 15-April 12)

"This nicely presented book by Peter Johnson looks at this fascinated light railway which was part of Col. Holman Fred Stephens empire of light railways which he managed from his office at Tonbridge In Kent. The original days of the Potteries, Shrewbury & North Wales Railway are covered right through to the when the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire was opened on part of the old "Potts" line in 1911. Highly recommended."

Peter A. Harding - Branch Line & Light railway Publications.