NEW CROSS WORD PRIZE

WELCOME to the RAIL Crossword. In this issue, we have copies of Inside British Rail to give away to three successful solvers, courtesy of The History Press ( www. thehistorypress.co.uk).

Twenty years on from privatisation, the nationalisation versus privatisation argument continues to rage.

Sub-titled Challenges and Progress of the Nationalised

Railway 1970s-1990s, this book is written by a former BR employee with a vast amount of experience, and offers an insider’s look at how the organisation operated in the 20 years leading up to privatisation in the mid-1990s. Inside British Rail (paperback, over 300 pages, and retailing at £20) is a revision of author Stephen Poole’s 2002 book Behind the

Crumbling Edge, which was described at the time by former BR chairman Sir Peter Parker as “a necessary - and entertaining - book. His personal history of BR and then privatisation has a witty sanity that is down-to-earth. I hope this illuminating work is put into the hands of those trying to run the railways these days.”

The 2002 text remains unchanged, other than a few minor corrections, but put into a 2018 context.

The author was born in Norwich. Over a period of 20 years he worked for the Southern, London Midland and Western Regions of BR, as well as for the Railfreight, InterCity and Network SouthEast business sectors.

He experienced stations, depots, freight, parcels, yards, signalling, catering, major projects and business development, all of which helped to give him an insight into the context in which the railway operated in terms of social, industrial, financial and political change.

After leaving BR, he worked for Eurotunnel and then as HM Inspector of Railways for the Health & Safety Executive and the Office of Rail Regulation. He now works independently, giving advice and guidance on railway safety and logistics.

Send your completed crossword and contact details to: R850 Crossword Competition, RAIL Magazine, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA.

The first three correct answers out of the hat will win the prize. Good luck!

Closing date for entries is April 27 2018.