This publication is a model of how a railway history should be written.
The author sets out the background which led to the building of the line, chronologically progresses through the years, creating relevant periods in the process and finishes the main history with the thirty year decline of GSR ownership.
All the standard chapters you would expect in a railway history are present, i.e., a route description, details of locomotives and rolling stock, services and personalities. These are backed up with appendices on coastal shipping, West Carbery mining and the railways, tickets and accounts.