A ‘labour of love’ as illustrated history of HMRI launches
A major new history of Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) was launched at St Pancras on December 3.
Written by Her Majesty’s
Chief Inspector of Railways Ian Prosser CBE and former Deputy Chief Inspector David Keay, and edited by RAIL Managing Editor Nigel Harris, the 184-page book covers the story of the world’s second oldest surviving railway organisation.
A New Illustrated History of Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate from 1840 includes more than
280 photographs, illustrations, graphics and trackplans - many of which have never been published before.
Among the modern accidents featured are Clapham (1988),
Purley (1989), Southall (1997), Ladbroke Grove (1999), Hatfield (2000), Heck (2001), Grayrigg (2007), and the Sandilands tram accident of 2016.
The book builds on a previous volume produced by Stan Hall in 1990, which was the same year in which the Inspectorate became part of the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE has subsequently been transferred to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Co-author David Keay said at the book’s launch event: “From the late 1990s to the early 2000s we saw some horrific accidents that were possibly worse in their effect on the railways than the ones that came before it. They needed recording because if you forget history it tends to repeat itself.
“Many of the photographs have not been seen before. Hopefully we have something here that will inspire people that working on the railways and for HMRI is a good job.”
Nigel Harris added: “This book is tangible proof of my favourite saying that ‘those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them’.
“On a railway which is characterised by lots of new companies, I think it’s really great that we have an organisation like
HMRI which is the second oldest we have [after only the British Transport Police], and which will be celebrating its 180th anniversary next year.”
The book’s publication was also welcomed by a wide cross-section of the industry, with a large group of both current and former industry leaders gathering for the launch at St Pancras.
They included former ORR Chief Executive Richard Price, who said: “It’s great to see this book published and it’s been a real
labour of love for Ian, David and Nigel. It’s a fitting way to mark the 175th, and soon to be 180th, anniversary of HMRI.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the ASLEF union, was also in attendance.
“I think we must always revisit the past to protect the future, and this book objectively does that by showing lessons learned and the evolving nature of the HMRI, from the very inception of our railways,” he said.
“Many of the pictures have not - or have only rarely - been seen before so it is not only informative but adds to the pictorial history of our industry.”
LNER Managing Director David Horne said: “HMRI continues to make an invaluable contribution to the safety of Britain’s railways, its customers and its workforce. The book reminds us all of the importance of continuing to anticipate the hazards and risks inherent in what we do.”
Former Network SouthEast and Virgin Trains MD Chris
Green added: “This superb book is a reference book for life with its authoritative record of railway accidents from 1840 and extensive contemporary photographs.” ■ A New Illustrated History of Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate from 1840 is available for £35, and can be ordered online at www.steamworldmag.co.uk, or by phone on 01733 363484 (Monday-Friday 0900-1300).
■ See pages 56-62 for an exclusive article drawing on Nigel Harris’ Introduction to A New History of Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate from 1840.