The Times British Railways: The illustrated history of a national institution

(Hardback)

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Written by best-selling author Julian Holland, this is the story of British Railways.

From its birth in 1948 to its demise in 1994, it was both loved and loathed by the countrys hard-pressed travelling public (most of whom didnt own a car). Take a trip down memory lane and discover the story of the rise and fall of a British institution.

Following the post-war Labour governments decision to nationalise much of Britains transport undertakings, mining and heavy industry, British Railways was born on 1st January 1948. The new state-controlled railway system was saddled with an archaic and worn-out network, decrepit motive power and rolling stock brought on by six years of wartime hardship and lack of maintenance and investment.

However, by the early 1950s the tide had slowly started to turn with a return to profitability and the introduction of new standardised classes of steam locomotives and rolling stock. The end for British Railways came at the beginning of 1965 when it changed its public image to British Rail and introduced the highly successful Inter-City brand of passenger trains and High-Speed Trains. British Rail survived until 1993. However, mounting debt led to the passing of the Railways Act by Parliament in that year, ushering in a new era of privatization.

Discover the history of British Railways in this fully illustrated volume with topics such as:

Nationalisation and the birth of British Railways

British Railways standard steam locomotives from 19511960

Early diesel, electric and gas turbine locomotives

Boat trains

Rural and seaside branch lines

Camping coaches

Travelling Post Office

Railway accidents

Trainspotting

The death of British Railways and the birth of British Rail

Privatization: The end of British Rail

Author Bio

From a very young age Julian Holland has had a fascination with railways. He is a writer and photographer on many railway books, including the highly acclaimed and award winning The Times Mapping the Railways (2011), Exploring Britains Lost Railways (2013) and Great Railway Journeys of the World (HarperCollins, 2014). Times Books publish prestigious reference books covering a range of interests and hobbies.