Glasgow, Cowal & Bute Route

Using historic and contemporary photographs complimented by descriptive text this book records the development of fast reliable railway services from the centre of Glasgow to the towns and ports on the southern shores of the River Clyde. The new railway links eroded the monopoly of the steam ship companies which had previously given Glaswegians the chance to escape the city by going 'Doon the Watter'. The reader is given an insight as to how the 'coming of the railways' developed the area influencing the growth of tourism, commuting and international travel whilst delivering the essentials to the industry that had grown up on the shores of one of Britain's greatest rivers. In recent years the railway, once the dominating force for the transportation of goods and people, has had to face a declining heavy industry and competition from the roads but as this book confirms it is still as relevant and important to the community as it was over one hundred and fifty years ago.