The Czech Republic and Slovakia emerged as independent countries in 1993, as joint successors of the former Czechoslovakia. Having once been a single country, with a single national railway operator, the change was significant, although both countries, and their railways, still have a lot in common. Loco types have changed through modernization and rebuilding, and both countries have retained very different narrow-gauge systems that are still in daily operation. Both countries have invested in modern fleets, and rail freight has boomed thanks to globalisation and EU membership, resulting in a wide variety of trains. Spanning three decades, this book explores the history of both countries and their railways, and features over 140 pictures, most of which have never been published before. The book concludes by looking at the ambitious plans for new high-speed networks, connecting both countries, and most of their neighbours by the late 2030s.

About the Author
Keith Fender is a London based journalist and photographer whose writings about world railways have become well known in British and European railway magazines such as Today's Railways Europe, Today's Railways UK and Railways Illustrated. His photographs have been published by a wide range of magazines. His interests include world travel, sailing, railway travel, photography and rich food. He was educated at Prices College, Fareham, and the Transport Unit at Aston University Birmingham. After graduation, Fender joined Royal Mail, where he worked for many years, including spells in Argentina and Frankfurt. Fender left Royal Mail in 2004 and has been freelancing as a railway author. Since 2004, he has travelled continuously, documenting his travels in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.


Book Information
ISBN 9781802820294
Author Keith Fender
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Key Publishing Ltd
Publisher Key Publishing Ltd