Midland Main Lines to St Pancras and Cross Country: Sheffield to Bristol 1957 - 1963

John Palmer

Feb 2017 · Pen and Sword

About this ebook

The history of British Railways in the late 1950s/early 1960s is characterized by change; massive change, as its management attempted to meet statutory obligations against a background of social, economic and political influences. The Modernisation Plan of 1955 paved the way for the electrification of the route from Manchester to London Euston, with a consequential effect of the Midland route services via Derby needing to be enhanced and improved. That eventually resulted in the arrival of class 7 steam motive power and later also benefitted the cross country Midland route. This book details, year by year, the changes that took place and provides an insight into the reasons why decisions were taken, and how the railway management was faced with a vast range of technological, natural, socioeconomic challenges to be overcome, whilst also trying to meet the day-to-day needs of the operational railway. In addition to tracing the history of the routes, the book includes performance logs of typical journeys along difficult sections, recollections of railway men working in various departments and – for enthusiasts – a list of rare and unusual locomotive workings. The book is profusely illustrated with black and white, as well as color, photographs and also includes a comprehensive range of maps.

About the author

John Palmer was born into a railway family, who have served the industry for many generations, living near Derby and the Midland Main Line from St Pancras to Sheffield. He is a life-long railway enthusiast and professional railwayman. John spent thirty-three years in the industry and his work took him to nineteen different countries. Although the author has spent most of his working life with diesel and electric traction, his first love was always steam and the period on the Midland main lines, after the 1955 modernisation plan. Since his retirement, he has been involved in railway historical research and also as a director of the preservation group restoring BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0, 73156.