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"The Willington Waggonway: A Rival to the Stockton and Darlington" by Les Turnbull is a comprehensive examination of the wooden railed Willington Waggonway, which played a crucial role in the growth of the colliery industry in northeast Britain during the late 18th and mid-19th centuries. The book provides a detailed history of the collieries and waggonway, as well as an archaeological analysis of a section of the waggonway conducted in 2013. It also explores the broader context of the colliery and waggonway scene in the north Tyneside coalfield. The author concludes with a discussion on the influence of the Willington Waggonway on later railway systems. However, the title of the book, which compares it to the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is deemed unnecessary and outdated by the reviewer. Overall, the book is commended for its extensive research and comprehensive account of this important waggonway system. [Extracted from the article]