Description

Book Synopsis
During the course of the 1950s England lost confidence in its rulers and convinced itself it must modernise. The failing steam-powered local railways, run by Colonel Blimp, symbolised everything that was wrong with the country - surely the future lay in motorways and high-speed express trains? Along came Dr Beeching with his diagnosis, and suddenly branch-line Britain was gone for ever. The debate about the Beeching cuts has raged ever since. In this superbly researched examination, Charles Loft exposes the political failures that bankrupted the railways and lays bare the increasing alienation of bureaucrats from the public they were trying to serve. The result is a fascinating study of a nation grappling to come to terms with modernity.

Last Trains: Dr Beeching and the Death of Rural

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    A Paperback / softback by Charles Loft

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Fri 11 Sep 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Biteback Publishing
      Published 21 March 2023
      ISBN-13 9781785908064
      978-1785908064
      ISBN-10 1785908065
      Also in:
      Business, Finance & Law Transport industries History European history Travel & Transport Trains and railways: general interest

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      During the course of the 1950s England lost confidence in its rulers and convinced itself it must modernise. The failing steam-powered local railways, run by Colonel Blimp, symbolised everything that was wrong with the country - surely the future lay in motorways and high-speed express trains? Along came Dr Beeching with his diagnosis, and suddenly branch-line Britain was gone for ever. The debate about the Beeching cuts has raged ever since. In this superbly researched examination, Charles Loft exposes the political failures that bankrupted the railways and lays bare the increasing alienation of bureaucrats from the public they were trying to serve. The result is a fascinating study of a nation grappling to come to terms with modernity.

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