The Great Central Railway: What Really Happened

John Palmer

січ. 2021 р. · Pen and Sword Transport

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“Sets out to address what really happened . . . through its LNER days and into British Railways custodianship . . . A well-researched and presented tome.” —Key Model World

For generations of railway enthusiasts and more lately for social historians, the life and times of the former Great Central Railway and in particular its extension towards London in the 1890s and closure seventy years later, have generated considerable interest and controversy.

Although many books have been written about the Railway, the majority in recent times have concentrated upon providing a photographic record and a nostalgic look in retrospect to what was generally perceived as happier times for the route.

None of the books have presented the outcome from thorough research into the business aspects of the Railway and its successive private (LNER) and public (BR) ownerships through war and peace, and times of industrial, social and political change, that influenced and shaped the demand for a railway service.

While retaining a strong railway theme throughout, the book identifies the role played by successive governments, the electricity and coal industries and the effect of social change that, together resulted in a case for closure.

The content of the book replaces much supposition with fact and places on record what really happened.

The final part of the book acknowledges the fine work over half a century of volunteers dedicated to saving a section of the line in Leicestershire.

“A valuable addition to the social and political history of railways.” —The Railway Correspondence and Travel Society

Про автора

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.