Railway Milestones & Millstones: Triumphs & Disasters in British Railway History
In nearly two centuries since Britain built the first railway system in the world there have been both remarkable triumphs of engineering and controversial failures, some even resulting in disaster. Among the events, individuals and designs that can be regarded as conspicuous successes can be counted the locomotive designs of Churchward for the Great Western Railway, the bridges across the Tamar and Forth, the creation of the electric telegraph and the Absolute Block system, the formation of the Railway Inspectorate, Gresley's Pacifics, Stanier's locomotive designs for the LMS, automatic train control and the multiple- aspect colour light signal.
There have also been significant failures that should not be ignored. Although controversial to many, a number of the locomotive designs of Bulleid can be counted as such, as well as the LMS's locomotive policy during the 1920s prior to Stanier's arrival, the restricted loading gauge, the GWR's adoption of the broad gauge and, unfortunately, much of the legislative framework under which the railways have operated.
In Railway Milestones and Millstones, ex- BR Signalling & Safety Officer Stanley Hall brings his years of experience of the railway industry to bear on the subject of these successes and failures. Some that he identifies will undoubtedly find common agreement with railway enthusiasts, others will prove controversial. All, however, are cogently argued by an author whose forthright views on the railway industry have made him a well-respected commentator on the subject. Railway Milestones and Millstones: Triumphs and Disasters in British Railway History will be the source of much debate amongst those interested in the story of Britain's railways up to the present day.
Hardback with dust jacket, 21x26cm, 160 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Very Good
ISBN: 9780711031104
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