BOOK REVIEWS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: february 2020 :: RMTnews 26 BRITISH RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE SINCE 1970 An historical overview Paul D Shannon Pen & Sword Books T he author made a career change in 1964, moving from clerical railway grades to the Motive Power Department at King’s Cross. Starting off as a locomotive cleaner he became eligible for second man duties, a roll he carried out for four years. Norman made records of his time there, experiencing the end of steam and the growing prevalence of diesel and electric. He takes us through the southern section of the East Coast Main Line and a world which no longer exists except in the minds of rail workers that passed through it themselves. He tells stories of these characters and their work, including Roy Head the philosopher train driver who inspired Norman to go back into full- education in 1968. Finely-illustrated and well put together, this tome will spark a million memories from those who worked on the railways during this period. KING’S CROSS SECOND MAN A Sixties diesel career Norman Hill Pen & Sword Books T his book examines in words and pictures the huge changes that have taken place in the last fifty years on Britain’s rail network. In this time the steam age gave way to a streamlined railway after Beeching closed thousands of miles of railway. However numerous lines and stations have since joined or rejoined the network as the need for rail continues to grow. It charts the changes in signalling, freight and shunting and looks at the move towards urban passenger networks taking in heavy rail, light rail and tramways. It is clear that fundamental changes will continue in unpredictable ways, just as it has since 1970. THE ‘DEFINITIVE’ STRIKE A history of the great 1919 railway strike R MT has published a new history of the 1919 railway strike, known as the 'definitive' strike. It describes how the strike was the culmination of the long struggle to win guaranteed hours, standardised wages, paid holidays and overtime payments among other demands. It also deals with the twists and turns of the conflict which saw the NUR harness ever widening solidarity and support from the labour movement and the public at large before the government of the day capitulated after ten days of strike action. Ultimately, the strike showed that rail workers were determined to equip themselves with the tools to resist poor conditions and low wages, a lesson for today. Copies are available on the RMT web-shop for £5 B O O K R E V I E W S