|
Staying on Track The reflections of a Railwayman by Graham Zeitlin
Staying on Track The reflections of a Railwayman by Graham Zeitlin
Hard cover with dust jacket
Copyright 2002
146 pages
Contents
Preface xi
Introduction Chocolate and Cream or Dairy Milk? xiii
Chapter IChanging a Dinosaur 1
Taking the 'Great' out of Great Western 1
Ernest Marples 2
Dead men's shoes 5
The Kremlin 8
Chapter IIBeeching and After 10
The Beeching Plan 10
Sir Stanley Raymond 12
Liner Trains 13
Trade union obstinacy 15
Quality of service 16
Chapter IIISelling the Crown Jewels 18
Nationalized industry or state-owned company?19
Chapter IVFreightliner Ltd 22
Best of Road & Rail 25
Pricing policy 27
Route Management 28
Chapter VManagement is Fun! 31
Chapter VIFreightliner Services 38
Home trade 38
Deep sea 40
Masterhaul 40
Private trains 44
Chapter VII Freightliner Europe 49
Intercontainer 51
Selling on the continent 57
Success 59
Chapter VIIIManagement is Still Fun! 62
Chapter IXBack to the Railways' Bosom 71
Privatization of Sealink 72
Across the sea to Ireland 75
Continental ports 77
Chapter XChannel Tunnel: Opportunity or Red Herring?79
Chapter XIExecutive Control 90
Retail or wholesale? 90
The Markets 92
Regional policy 94
The build up 95
The entente cordiale 97
Chapter XIIWho Runs the Railways? 103
The Thatcher years 103
The shadow of Whitehall 104
The motor industry 105
Piggyback 111
Chapter XIIILife After the Railways: Private Enterprise 115
Chapter XIVRailway Privatization 123
Freightliner Ltd 123
Railtrack: negotiating with a monopoly 126
Management-buy-out 128
Why Freightliner could be profitable 130
Railfreight 135
My support for privatization 137
Chapter XVThe Future of Freight on Rail 141
PostscriptCharitable Work 143
Illustrations
Liner Train System in action 13
The author with a group of Japanese studying Freightliner 15
The author introducing staff to Sir Peter Parker, Chairman of BR 23
Willesden Freightliner Depot 26
Freightliner Ra-Ra girls at a football match 33
Trying to free the coach after the football match 34
Zeebrugge: the containership berth served by adjacent Freightliner terminal 50
Freightliner Europe 60
Channel Tunnel planned transit times 85
The author signing Channel Tunnel agreement 91
Start of work for Channel Tunnel 96
The author at the Channel Tunnel Conference, Gothic Hall, Bruges 100
The author at Zeebrugge celebrations 101
A car train 109
Michelle and Gary Linker promoting Bikeathon 144
Staying on Track is Graham Zeitlin's fascinating account of the years of fun and frustration during a career in the railway industry, the struggle to achieve efficiency and business success in an area dominated by politicians and civil servants and the joy of moving to the National Freight Corporation where managers had greater freedom to manage.
The author's experiences cover the broadest possible range. He has worked for privately owned Great Western Railway, nationalized British Rail, state-owned but independently run Freightliner, several companies in the private sector and as an independent consultant. As a result of positions held within such a diverse collection of organizations he has experienced nationalisation, privatization, the Beeching era, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and the impact of both antagonistic and supportive ministers. This enables him to make fact-based comparisons between the various forms of ownership, management styles and efficiency. He also describes how he built up an international transport business, using rail, road and sea. He tells the inside story of the privatization of British Rail freight and of his involvement with the privatization of Sealink.
On a lighter note, we share his often delightful experiences travelling around Europe dealing with clients and suppliers of various nationalities. Graham Zeitlin shows that management can actually be fun!
A controversial account, through personal experience, of changes in the railway industry over the last 50 years.
An inside story of the privatization of British Rail Freight -'a tale of dithering, incompetence and conniving.'
The author's experience of the Channel Tunnel negotiations and planning.
The involvement with Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, Barbara Castle and Brian Mawhinney.
An alternative view of the Beeching Plan.
A timely contribution to the heated debate about our railways and their management.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
