Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways

This book is the tale of a small boy from Surrey who had a fascination with anything on wheels and loved to learn about people and what motivated them. He read a lot about railways and was excited by the innovations of our nineteenth-century predecessors. When the Beeching report came out in 1963, he decided to be a part of the new order and help bring back some of that excitement. The view from the inside presents readers with a whole new picture of what was really going on within British Rail at various levels.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2018
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

This captivating book delves into the remarkable journey of a young boy from Surrey, whose insatiable curiosity and passion for all things mechanical led him to explore the intricate world of railways. With a voracious appetite for knowledge, he avidly consumed literature on the subject, immersing himself in the remarkable innovations of his nineteenth-century predecessors. However, it was the release of the Beeching report in 1963 that ignited a fire within him, fueling his desire to be a part of the transformative new order that was emerging in the world of transportation. Determined to contribute to this revival of excitement, he embarked on a personal odyssey, recounting his upbringing and painting a vivid portrait of the grayness of the 1950s.

From there, he takes the reader on a captivating voyage of discovery, delving into the world of 1960s engineering and the British Railway. The author's unique perspective, gained through his years of experience within the organization, offers a fresh and insightful glimpse into the inner workings of British Rail at various levels. What sets this book apart is its unprecedented access to previously unpublished information and the explanations behind many previously opaque decisions. The author's candor and honesty shine through, as he openly shares his thoughts and opinions, despite being cautioned by his school careers master to exercise caution in expressing his true beliefs.

Through his captivating storytelling, the author transports the reader into the heart of British Rail during a pivotal period in its history. With meticulous detail and a deep understanding of the industry, he sheds light on the challenges, triumphs, and the human stories that shaped the organization. This book is not only a fascinating read for railway enthusiasts but also a valuable contribution to the history of transportation and the broader social context of the 1960s. It serves as a reminder of the power of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of innovation in shaping the world around us.

Weight: 862g
Dimension: 256 x 186 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781473893191