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This volume was published at a time when the future for British railways was at critical point. To quote from the Preface, “As required by the Railways act, 1921, all standard railways are to be amalgamated into four grouped systems… In this new edition, therefore, a very complete summary of the provisions of the Railways Act, 1921, particulars of the new groups (with special maps), and the functions and constitution of the railways wages board and councils, a table showing the allocation of the first instalment of the £60 million constituting the agreed settlement of railway companies’ claims against the government, and other sections incident upon the present railway situation, are leading features.” As well as all of this information on the state of the railways just prior to their amalgamation, and plans in place to accomplish it, this volume constitutes a piece of social history. Its 17 pages of illustrated advertisements are evidence of the many industries that supplied the railway industry and the complex web of relationships that supported them. This volume does not just deal with British railways but also includes details of several overseas railway systems. Condition: In the original red boards with black lettering; this copy has clearly been much used, and the spine strip is frayed along the joints. There is bumping and wear to the boards, especially at the corners, and some splashing to the boards. There are ink stains to the corners of the first few pages, with a little bleeding into the page margins. The binding is firm and all of the many maps clean and intact. The pages, although occasionally grubby, are clear and unmarked.