Twenty years have passed since the Rochdale Canal reopened following a restoration scheme that faced almost impossible hurdles. One of three commercial waterways across the Pennines, the canal links the industrial North West and North East, flowing through mill towns, beneath dramatic bridges and traverses spectacular hilly scenery. Its ninety-one locks present a strenuous challenge for boaters, while it has become popular with walkers, cyclists, houseboat residents and casual sailors. The revival of the canal has helped to bring new life to the towns and villages along its route. This book tracks its 32-mile length, telling its story in colour through historians, canals users, lock keepers and all those who today utilise the canal in ways its originators never conceived.

'No doubt Rochdale Canal will appeal to those with a connection to this northern route, who will particularly value these insights into its recent past.' * Waterways World, August 2023 *
'This enjoyable illustrated guide shows how the dedication of local people improved the waterway’s fortunes, with information on how readers can visit this beacon of maritime heritage.' * Nautilus Telegraph, January/ February 2024 *
'This book tells the story of Rochdale Canal through historians, lock keepers and canal users with some lovely old images all in full colour, but it's not just pictures, there are a number of short chapters on various themes. Definitely one for your collection.' * Canal Boat Magazine, September 2024 *

Having a father who ran a shop selling model railways probably sealed the fate of John Evans as a railway enthusiast. Spending all his money - and rather too much of his time - amassing a collection of railway pictures, he fortunately stored them carefully away. 'My education was undertaken at Northampton engine shed,' he jokes. He now lives in West Yorkshire and still ventures regularly to the lineside.