Railwayman John tells story of the Great Central line

A DERBY-born engineer has penned a book on the history of the Great Central Railway.

John was born in 1948 and came from an extended family of railwaymen.

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.

For generations of railway enthusiasts and more latterly 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 70 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, 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.