The British Rail Problem

This book formulates a new strategy for the railways, trying to discover how much traffic British Rail can hope to obtain. It looks at two fundamental assumptions on which the Board's case for a large and virtually open-ended subsidy rests.

This book formulates a new strategy for the railways, trying to discover how much traffic British Rail can hope to obtain. It looks at two fundamental assumptions on which the Board's case for a large and virtually open-ended subsidy rests.

The failure of the 1968 transport act - The prospects for passenger traffic - Parcels, letters and papers - Iron and steel - Coal and oil - General freight and the overall position - Manpower and expenditure - The social benefits of rail passenger services - The allocation of freight traffic - Railway investment.

British Rail was a success. British Rail is a contentious company, as controversial as Dr Beeching and his axe. However, this examination of BR's passenger services shows just how vital the organisation was. It successfully carried millions of commuters to and from their jobs every day; organised its trunk route services to yield a profit under the brand name 'Inter-City'; and pioneered world-beating research and technological development through its own research centre and engineering subsidiary. It transformed the railway system of Britain from a post-Second World War state of collapse into a modern, technologically advanced railway. And it did all this despite being starved of cash and being subjected to the whims of ever-fickle politicians. British Rail: The Nation's Railway is a story, expertly weaved by Tanya Jackson, of how all this was achieved against the odds. Complemented by stunning black-and-white and colour images, this is certainly a volume that no rail enthusiast should be without.

Based on privileged access to the British Railway Board's rich archives, this book provides and authoritative account of the progress made by the British Railway System prior to its privatization. It offers a unique account of the last fifteen years of nationalized railways in Britain, and it sheds light on the current problems of privatized railway systems. This volume is divided into four complete and concise sections for complete study: 'Railways Under Labour (1974-1979)', 'The Thatcher Revolution (British Rail in the 1980's)', 'On The Threshold of Privatization: Running the Railways (1990-1994)', and 'Responding to Privatization (1981-1997)'. Author Terry Gourvish is considered Britain's leading railway historian.