James Boyd first came to know Caernarvonshire closely when during Army service in the early 1940s he had successive Leave Passes destined 'Bangor, North Wales'! Within reasonably-easy access of his duties at that time, an overnight train could take him thence, allowing arrival before dawn and a walk up the Penrhyn Railway track to reach the quarry at first light.
After initial closure when the Second World War started, the system had re-opened on a limited scale but its halcyon days would never return. On many peacetime visits to follow, the employment of retired quarryrmen as Guides, and the helpful disposition of everyone at work of every kind, soon made the Past as vivid to him as the Present.
When the end came for the Railway and instructions to destroy all records were issued, much, but not all, was lost. Some Quarry records were put beyond reclamation by those with no sensitivity for their value, but many documents out of reach of such action have now found their way into Gwynedd Archives. Here, Eric Foulkes has painstakingly worked on them and in turn, generously given the Author the benefit of his studies.
Together with other valued sources, these now appear in this volume - truly a prodigious Omnium Gatherum for one of the most underrated railway undertakings in these Islands. Well illustrated with quality photographs, drawings and maps.
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Oakwood Press
