Second Hand Bookshops.

[Northernboy67]

Does anyone know of any 2nd hand bookshops that specialise in Railway Books in the London and South East area? I have heard of one place called Lens of Sutton, but not sure if that still exists.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Robert Humm at Stamford (if you call that South East ) is by a country mile the best railway bookshop in the country.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Not a specialist, but a fairly large selection at the huge, rambling Baggins Book Bazaar in Rochester, near the bridge end of the High Street, almost nearer Strood station than Rochester.

 

[Busaholic]

Falconwood Transport and Military Bookshop, near Falconwood station on the Dartford via Bexleyheath line, has been going for decades.

 

[steamybrian]

Does anyone know of any 2nd hand bookshops that specialise in Railway Books in the London and South East area? I have heard of one place called Lens of Sutton, but not sure if that still exists.

"Lens Of Sutton" closed in 1999 after the owner John L. Smith passed away.

 

[John Webb]

There's a Barry Jones in Worthing, who advertises in The Railway Magazine, but I don't think he's a bookshop - the address seems to be among private housing - try an email to [email protected] perhaps?

 

[Northernboy67]

Thanks everyone. Baggins in Rochester is close to me. but will look at others.

 

[Whistler40145]

You could try Motorbooks in Cecil Street, Covent Garden



www.motorbooks.co.uk

 

[EM2]

You could try Motorbooks in Cecil Street, Covent Garden
www.motorbooks.co.uk

Motor Books closed down as a retail concern about six months ago.
There is another decent second-hand bookshop in Rochester (whose name escapes me for the present), it's on the same side of the High Street as Baggins, although quite a bit smaller, and has a small selection (one shelving bay) of railway books. Got a book on railcars there for £12 which was going for £40-odd on eBay.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Ian Allan Bookshops in London, no idea if it's just brand new only or if they also sell 2nd hand books

 

[eastwestdivide]

Thanks everyone. Baggins in Rochester is close to me. but will look at others.

You just reminded me, there are more general 2nd-hand bookshops along Rochester High St, and I think a more specialist transport one recently opened quite near La Providence - Roadmaster Books.

 

[Johnuk123]

Robert Humm at Stamford (if you call that South East ) is by a country mile the best railway bookshop in the country.

It certainly is the best railway bookshop in the country but Stamford is not the South East or even near.

 

[John Webb]

Ian Allan Bookshops in London, no idea if it's just brand new only or if they also sell 2nd hand books

I think they only do new books + model railway sales. Not far from Waterloo station.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It certainly is the best railway bookshop in the country but Stamford is not the South East or even near.

Agreed it isn't South East but to be honest the OP's context is a bit vague - if they're in Dover then obviously Stamford is out of the question, but if they are in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire, both of which I'd classify as South East, then obviously Stamford would be more viable than Rochester.

 

[table38]

Many of the preserved railways have bookshops. I vividly remember visiting a few, but for the life of me I can't remember where

(apart from Wednesleydale, and the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway which is about as not "in London and the South East" as you can get )

---- update ----

Might have been Horsted Keynes I'm thinking of

 

[Johnuk123]

Agreed it isn't South East but to be honest the OP's context is a bit vague - if they're in Dover then obviously Stamford is out of the question, but if they are in Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire, both of which I'd classify as South East, then obviously Stamford would be more viable than Rochester.

Agreed.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Many of the preserved railways have bookshops. I vividly remember visiting a few, but for the life of me I can't remember where

(apart from Wednesleydale, and the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway which is about as not "in London and the South East" as you can get )

Wansford on the Nene Valley has a cracking second hand bookshop IIRC, which might be worth combining with Stamford if anyone does head out that way. There's also a decent one at the Yeovil Railway Centre (can't remember its official name) which is recommended too.

 

[eastwestdivide]

...apart from Wednesleydale...

Of course you have to check the opening days if you go there mid-week.

 

[table38]

apart from Wednesleydale

Of course you have to check the opening days if you go there mid-week.

tsk, brain to keyboard error

 

[PeterY]

Buckinghamshire railway centre has a second hand bookshop. I managed to pick up 1976 B.R. all line timetable there.

 

[43106]

There used to be a good bookshop called "The Smokebox" on Cromwell Street in Kingston, just west of the bus station. I've no idea if it's still open. The shop in Falconwood is at Falcon Parade, but is quite a distance from the train station. You need to take the B16 bus - well, I did.

 

[razourlight962]

Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway which is about as not "in London and the South East" as you can get [/URL] I'm thinking of

There's a bookshop at Bo'ness & Kinneil? Where about?

 

[richw]

Although not quite what you're looking for, I've picked up some great railway books in various charity shops.

 

[table38]

There's a bookshop at Bo'ness & Kinneil? Where about?

Last time I was there, it was on the right as you went in the main booking hall entrance from the car park. Maybe it's not a permanent fixture and is only set up for certain events?

Although it's equally possible I'm thinking of somewhere completely different!

 

[postye]

There used to be a good bookshop called "The Smokebox" on Cromwell Street in Kingston, just west of the bus station. I've no idea if it's still open.

Alas the smokebox closed down about 6 years ago when they developed that corner - it's now a Tesco Metro and student accommodation.
Spent many Saturday afternoons spending my milk round money there as a kid

 

[Bevan Price]

You often find at least one dealer in 2nd hand railway books at the larger model railway exhibitions.

Unfortunately, the spread of charity shops has led to the closure of many 2nd hand book shops - they cannot compete with charity shops selling cheap books that have been donated to them, whereas the genuine 2nd hand book shops generally have to purchase their stock.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Alas the smokebox closed down about 6 years ago when they developed that corner - it's now a Tesco Metro and student accommodation.
Spent many Saturday afternoons spending my milk round money there as a kid

My God, both Lens of Sutton, Carshalton and The Smokebox, Kingston bring back fond memories...

I've never heard of the one in Falconwood, might have to make an excuse (by way of a "diversion") next time my wife wants to go to Bluewater or Lakeside...

There is a whole Mk 1 coach bookshop at Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell...well worth a visit

 

[RichmondCommu]

To be honest Amazon is often your best bet.

 

[BananaNimby]

AbeBooks.co.uk is also an excellent source.

 

[Busaholic]

AbeBooks.co.uk is also an excellent source.

Which, like the vast majority of online book trade in this country, is owned by Amazon!

A bookseller (part-time and semi-retired).