West Coast Main Lines, 1957-1963

- Blurb -

Throughout its length from London to Glasgow via Crewe and Carlisle, with a loop through the West Midlands and spurs to Holyhead,Liverpool and Manchester, the West Coast Main Line has consistently provided interest for those many with more than a passing interest in trains and travel. This book outlines the history of the route,its physical characteristics and sets the scene for the various passenger and goods traffic flows that sustained it; it then details the arrangements for motive power and train working through the era of change that was 1957 to 1963. The level of interest - as evidenced daily by the presence at the lineside of hordes of young spotters and other observers - was particularly high at that time as processions of trains hauled by fine express passenger locomotives and those more suited to other traffic passed by. The book also goes ' behind the scenes' to provide insights into the daily and seasonal challenges of managing that section of a wider railway network, as directed by the varying terms of relevant legislation, and a government increasingly concerned to shape the railways for the changing needs of the public, industry and the economy. The book will be of particular interest to those who simply recall those days by the lineside, those with an interest in detailed arrangements to provide and maintain suitable motive power, those with an interest in how the railway served the needs of the nation and modellers who seek information. The book is illustrated with colour and monochrome images and supported by maps. AUTHOR: John Palmer was born in 1948 and became a member of an extended family of railwaymen. Home was in the railway town of Derby, close to the Midland main line and the Great Northern line to Nottingham Victoria, employment within the railway industry naturally followed and John entered service in the department of the chief mechanical and electrical engineer. Shortly afterwards he was selected for a management training scheme, a career of 33 years in contract and project management work in the UK and overseas was enjoyed and also allowed ample opportunity to pursue his own natural interest in all things railway. 35 colour & 100 b/w illustrations, maps & diagrams