Fiennes on Rails
Fifty years of railways as seen by Gerard Fiennes
Gerry Fiennes was a railwayman extraordinary. He worked his way through the ranks to become General Manager of both the Western and Eastern regions of British Railways, and from which he was dismissed for publishing his memoirs without having the consent of those right at the top. The political consequences of his going rumbled on for months afterwards for not only was the man at the top dismissed but he was followed weeks later by the Minister concerned in the government of the day.
This book takes us through almost fifty years of railways, not as an autobiography, but as a series of essays and word sketches looking at railways and the men who ran them, and railway events, from the grass roots, from the general manager's office and many vantage points in between. Some of his accounts are hilarious, and coming through loud and clear is the fact that to Gerry Fiennes railway operation was fun, provided always that the serious and prime function of railways to transport people and goods safely, speedily and economically was not forgotten.
His enthusiasm to keep trains running smoothly and efficiently, particularly in times of trouble, often led to bending the rule book, not always appreciated from on high, but which with simple remedies often got the job done.
This is a remarkable book by a remarkable railwayman who was an able and witty communicator, and deserves a wide audience. Sadly Gerry Fiennes did not live to see it published for he died only days after completing the manuscript.
Hardback with dust jacket, 14x22cm, 190 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Good/Very Good
ISBN: 9780715389263
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