Stuart Baker, Rail Atlas creator, dies

Stuart Baker, the creator of the popular Rail Atlas Great Britain and Ireland, died in early November following an illness.

First published in 1977, the atlas has chronicled the changes in Britain’s railway, covering main line, metro, tram networks and heritage railways, as well as projects due for completion.

Baker, who was educated in Bradford and at Oxford University, joined the railway in 1977, and held roles within the rail industry and at the Department for Transport.

Among his achievements, he was instrumental in the West Coast Route Modernisation programme, paving the way for the Very High Frequency timetable which helped to increase passenger numbers on Europe’s busiest mixed-traffic railway.