Beeching Legacy: Wessex

1963 was memorable for the publication by HMSO of Part 1 of the report 'The Reshaping of British Railways' by Dr Richard Beeching, then chairman of the British Railways Board. The term 'reshaping' was somewhat of a euphemism as the Report envisaged a radical reduction in the national rail network. Hundreds of stations were to be closed to both freight and passenger traffic, along with thousands of miles of track, while several thousand staff would be made redundant. This book is intended as a record of how the proposals affecting passenger services in the Wessex Area were ruthlessly implemented over a ten year period. Since then, despite the introduction of modern high-speed rolling stock and much track rationalisation, the extent of our rail network has remained basically the same. In addition he bequeathed to the nation a linear network of derelict land which could be put to other purposes, including that of heritage railway. 160 pages softback, illustrated in black & white and colour.