TRAINSPOTTERS will be forgiven to think all their Christmas's have come at once when a new railway book hits the shelves.

Branch lines to Henley, Windsor and Marlow chronicles the entire history of the railway through evocative photographs and informative writing.

The common theme running through the book is the River Thames.

All the lines are closely related to the river except for the Bourne End to High Wycombe section which was close to one of its tributaries the River Wye.

The journey begins with the opening of the Great Western Railway's main line between Paddington and Maidenhead in June 1838.

The line went on to be extended to Twyford, Reading, Windsor and later in 1846 from Maidenhead to High Wycombe.

Detailed maps from bygone times alongside present day maps, reproductions of old tickets and timetables and railway street scenes, all work to bring to life the sights and sounds of 'life on the lines'.

And enthusiasts can delight in knowing that many of the 120 photographs have never been published before making it a worthy addition to any collection.

A publishing spokesman said: "Henley-on-Thames once had a spacious terminus with a classical GWR train shed and Windsor and Eton Central had four platforms in its prime. These are shown in detail along with other aspects of the branches. The long lost line to High Wycombe and the charming byway to Marlow add pleasure to this album of Thames-related routes."

Authors Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith are behind more than 120 localised books since their first success with Branch Lines to Midhurst in 1981.

The book will be stocked locally or can be bought for £13.95 from Middleton Press on 01730 813169.

February 14, 2002 13:38