Colourpoint Books has launched the second edition of this highly successful
book which first appeared in early 1998. Fermanagh's Railways is a tribute in words and pictures by two railway enthusiasts
who have personal associations with the county and its railways; Charles Friel
was born in Enniskillen and Norman Johnston is the grandson of a Maguiresbridge
station master. Like its predecessor, the new book opens with both authors setting the scene
with their personal reminiscences. Following an outline of the history of
railways in Fermanagh, the bulk of the book is devoted to a detailed journey
from Clones through Enniskillen to Bundoran, with a visit to that part of
the Clogher Valley in Fermanagh. Included too is coverage of the Sligo, Leitrim
and Northern Counties between Enniskillen and Belcoo. There is a track diagram
for every station along with several pictures, each with its own lengthy caption.
And the new book is not just about trains. The authors have included 17 pictures
of the bus services provided in the county by the GNR and the SLNCR, as well
as the Enniskillen’s own Erne Bus Company, better known as Cassidy’s
buses. Both the text and the extended photo captions include a lot of information
that has only recently come to hand. The new edition has 21 maps and diagrams
and an amazing 250 pictures packed into its 176 pages. Many fascinating photographs
have also surfaced in recent years and no fewer than 88 of them are being
published here for the first time! 
Fermanagh’s
Railways - Second Edition
by Charles P Friel and Norman Johnston
(Available at Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum - £18.00)
The new edition
has also increased coverage of the events that led to the closure, the happenings
on the last day itself and the aftermath of closure. And the good news is
that the story is not over yet! The final part of the book covers the restoration
of the railway stations at Belcoo and Brookeborough, the creation of Headhunters
Railway Museum as well as the various events that have brought railway men
and women together to mark the closure anniversaries in recent years.
