TRAINLAND
How Railways Made New Zealand

Neill Atkinson
Random House $40

I'm sure author Neill Atkinson, an historian with the Ministry of Culture & Heriatge, will be delighted with the fine publishing job that Random House have made of his fascinating, easy-to-read and beautifully illustrated history of the impact of railways on New Zealand.







Don't open this book unless you have several hours to spare as it is absolutely rivetting. And I found the beautiful photographs, paintings and posters on almost every page especially interesting.

Years ago, growing up in Gisborne, I used to travel by train and then later by railcar, south to Napier and Wellington so I was pleased to see good coverage and pics of the railcar services.

And of course for all those many steam train buffs out there this book will be compulsory reading, loads of great pictures of steam trains in all their glory.

New Zealanders have a great sense of nostalgia for railways which will ensure that this book becomes a bestseller.

Publication 5 October.

For more check out these websites:

(http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/rail-tourism)

(http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/main-trunk-line/north-island-main-trunk-line ),