The LNER Encyclopedia

As I'll be away from the computer for the next few weeks now is the time to remind you all, we dont want to upset anyone, or see tears, this is just a reminder for the memorial of our good friend Richard who passed away 25 years (silver) ago on March 23rd 1985 aged 71. With out the Beeching reports of 1963 and 1965 and closure of the railways we would not have the preservation movements that we know today. No dout the railways would still be a shambles today with out it. Looking on the positive side he bore a childless marrage so the children wont follow in fathers footsteps !

Mr B ... back soon.

I cannot help thinking that Dr. B. would if he had decided on a different career path have been a great Civil Servant in the best traditions of 'Sir Humphrey Appleby' (remember Yes Minister?).

In Whitehall circles no one is rewarded by becoming the bearer of unwelcome news, so although Dr. Beeching was undoubtedly a very clever man he never allowed that to stop him telling the Ministers exactly what they wanted to hear. Even, perhaos especially, if that meant suppressing anything that they would not find welcome. I came across the sort during my own time in a Government Department. The Ministers of the time thought so highly of Dr. B.'s advice that they rewarded him with a life peerage.

As for myself, I was not so fortunate.

G'Day Gents
It's a pity we vilify Dr B so much, he was doing his job, but did get carried away by it! the real mastermind behind all the villainy, was Ernest Marples, and his Boss 'Mac the knife'
In todays climate, with his position as Transport Minister, he would probably have ended up in 'nick' for 10 years, for fraud and double dealing and probably a lot of other underhanded things, the guy always reminded me of President Nixon, sneaky, underhanded, while lining his pockets with many layers of gold. Pity we can't take the family assets back into public ownership
manna

manna wrote:G'Day Gents
It's a pity we vilify Dr B so much, he was doing his job, but did get carried away by it! the real mastermind behind all the villainy, was Ernest Marples, and his Boss 'Mac the knife'
In todays climate, with his position as Transport Minister, he would probably have ended up in 'nick' for 10 years, for fraud and double dealing and probably a lot of other underhanded things, the guy always reminded me of President Nixon, sneaky, underhanded, while lining his pockets with many layers of gold. Pity we can't take the family assets back into public ownership
manna

Spot on, Manna - Marples Ridgeway and what was their business? Building motorways....

Dr Beeching was given a government remit and carried it out, but we should also remember the positive things he did in identifying areas where the railway could and should grow and survive by concentrating on its strengths. Everyone loved THEIR local railway - in theory; just like their local store, local pub or local post office nowadays. But, as Beeching said, "If you wish to keep it use it". The fact is many railway lines closed in the 1960s should never have been built, but were in the euphoria of the Victorian age, aided by the way in which the railway system developed in this country. Beeching was under pressure time wise and wrong decisions were definitely made over some lines, but in the circumstances this was probably inevitable, though regrettable.