Around Shildon

The Pioneer locomotive works of George Stephenson and Timothy Hackworth developed into a major railway wagon works,and miles of sidings marshalled the largest coal transporting operation in the country. Shildon's coal mines, tapping the rich seams which underlay the town, spanned a period of greatness whose heyday lasted until beyond the Second World War. Shildon was also the home of the world's first steam-hauled passenger railway. Today, it claims the world's earliest surviving ticket office, passenger station, engine paint shop, and coal drops. Nicknamed 'the cradle of the railways', it has also heen called 'the forgotten town'.The photographs, drawn from archive and personal collections ,include some from the early years of photography. They celebrate the people of Shildon at work and at play, at church ami in school. at sport and at leisure, displaying their patriotic fervour and community spirit in hoth prosperity and adversity. Many will recognise the town they grew up in, their familes, friends, and even themselves! All will be fascinated by this evocative tribute to Shildon, the people and the place.

Author: Vera Chapman
Publisher: Nonsuch
Extra Details: Pictorial Card Covers 5 x 7 inches tall, 128 Pages, Lavishly illustrated with old B&W photos throughout.