Quote from: martyn on September 15, 2019, 11:40:40 AM
Charity shops can also be a source of second hand bargains, but may be patchy; lots one month, virtually nil the next one (railway books, that is!)

Martyn

I totally agree with Martyn as, let's face it, the growth area in UK towns is the number of charity shops. It's also a sad fact that those books tend to appear as older folk pass away, and tend to get snapped up fairly quickly - hence the rise and fall in supply.

Have you tried your local heritage railway ( if you have one)? The Bluebell Railway near me has the 'Carriage Shop', which is literally a shop in an old carriage, and has a huge collection of railway books and other stuff.

Alternatively, try https://www.abebooks.co.uk. This is a website which forms a network of small, specialist booksellers. Prices range from the bargain to the eye-watering, but you can usually find what you want on there. A few years ago my wife was looking for a particular book of Irish music and found what appeared to be the only copy on sale anywhere in the world... in Australia!

Good luck!

Cheers,

Chris

I realise that this is not in the spirit of the original post, but a seller who uses the id   qequeen   on ebay has some excellent railway themed books listed. I have bought a few from him and the seller, Chris, is amenable to waiting for his money if you are looking at more than one book. Every book I have had from him is in virtual 'as new' condition and many prices start at 99p. Just one example -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THAT-WAS-MY-RAILWAY-Frank-L-Hick-1991-1st-HB-VGC/123413533754?hash=item1cbc05143a:g:O1UAAOSwqRBbRJhK

Usual thing about no connection etc.

Quote from: javlinfaw7 on September 15, 2019, 01:54:48 PM
I am lucky as within a 5 minute walk of  Roussaue & Voltaire there are 3 more contrasting book shops , Thistle who specialise in sheet music but have good selection of edition and some railway anc transport , Caledonian  Books more up market but always a good selection including a large transport section and a specialised  Oxfam Book shop who always have a good if sometimes costly selection

Heaven and Hell in one place.
My SWMBO and me would spend way too much time and monry in there...

Quote from: Papyrus on September 15, 2019, 03:16:30 PM
Alternatively, try https://www.abebooks.co.uk. This is a website which forms a network of small, specialist booksellers. Prices range from the bargain to the eye-watering, but you can usually find what you want on there. A few years ago my wife was looking for a particular book of Irish music and found what appeared to be the only copy on sale anywhere in the world... in Australia!

Yup, being in foreign parts this has proved a very useful source of out-of-print works.

I use a couple of second hand bookshops. One in great Yarmouth in the arcade,  had hundreds of books in front of shop for £1. Out the back is a cabinet of railway books,  normally less than £5, but it's hit and miss some times the cabinet is full..  Sometimes it's half empty..
The other in Cromer on new street has a good range but is more expensive..

If there is something specific I want generally I too use abebooks.

Barter books in Alnwick is good and in an old railway station too with a great cafe.

Quote from: sg on September 16, 2019, 10:30:36 PM
Barter books in Alnwick is good and in an old railway station too with a great cafe.

Funny you should mention that because that's one of the reasons I started this thread. Have to be honest and say I was a bit disappointed with their selection. I know it's meant to be the alpha and omega of second-hand bookshops but in most areas I looked the stock was either quite limited or not in very good condition. Plus the music they were piping was awful and intrusive. I will add I don't really read fiction and I'm told they are great for that.

If I'm ever in the area again I'll give it another go, perhaps I just unlucky as it was very busy, so they may have shifted a lot of stock in the days before.

Quote from: The Q on September 15, 2019, 07:06:57 PM
I use a couple of second hand bookshops. One in great Yarmouth in the arcade,  had hundreds of books in front of shop for £1. Out the back is a cabinet of railway books,  normally less than £5, but it's hit and miss some times the cabinet is full..  Sometimes it's half empty..
The other in Cromer on new street has a good range but is more expensive..

Interesting, might have to check those two out. Thanks.

Quote from: Papyrus on September 15, 2019, 03:16:30 PM
Have you tried your local heritage railway ( if you have one)? The Bluebell Railway near me has the 'Carriage Shop', which is literally a shop in an old carriage, and has a huge collection of railway books and other stuff...

Chris

Thanks Chris, Nene Valley would be my nearest and yes, they do have a second-hand bookshop and it's in an old carriage too . I'll have to go and have a browse. Fingers crossed...

The above has just reminded me of..
https://www.bvrw.co.uk/shop/bufferstop-books  which is at the Hoveton (Wroxham0 end of the line..

Go and spend a weekend in Herefordshire.

Hay on Wye is famous for the number of book-shops it has (over twenty). Hay Cinema Bookshop has a very good second hand selection.

Hereford Model Centre is well worth a visit and the perserved railways at the Forest of Dean and Severn Valley aren't a million miles away.

Steven B