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Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways

Description:

This book is the tale of a small boy from Surrey who had a fascination with anything on wheels and, also, loved to learn about people and what motivated them. He read a lot about railways and was excited by the innovations of our nineteenth-century predecessors. When the Beeching report came out in 1963, he decided that he wanted to be a part of the new order and help bring back some of that excitement. He describes his upbringing and paints a picture of the 'greyness' of the 1950s and then takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the world of 1960's engineering before he joined British Railway in 1970. The view from the inside presents readers with a whole new picture of what was really going on within British Rail at various levels. Much that is reported has never before been published, and the reasons for many decisions on previously opaque matters are explained. The author was cautioned by his school careers master to be wary of saying what he really thought. It seems that this piece of advice has not been heeded.
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Review

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About the Author

Brought up in Surrey, Adrian joined British Railways as an Engineering Management Trainee in 1970. After twelve years managing various maintenance organisations, including helping to launch the HST service on the East Coast Mainline, he ran the first Driver Only passenger line in the UK. A spell running BR's express parcels company, Red Star, was followed by leading the creation of Train Operator, Rail Express Systems. This was excellent experience, which helped when he led a Management Buyout for Chiltern Railways, which went on to be one of the most successful Train Operating Companies. In 'retirement' he is still active in the Rail Industry.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read

O.C. · 21 January 2023

A highly interesting account of a railway career in a book that pulls no punches, written with humour and very informative, with the author not afraid to say what he felt despite being advised by his school careers master to be wary of saying what he was really thinking, clearly advice he did not heed.I spent my working life on the railway and Adrian Shooter was my boss for around 3 years and many of the people mentioned in the book I worked with. This book brings back many happy memories of some my time on the railway.Sadly Adrian passed away recently and this book is a fitting tribute of the life and times of a great railwayman.

5.0 out of 5 stars A 99p surprise

A.C. · 27 January 2025

A fascinating book written from an unexpected angle as the authors career evolved, becoming eventually a sector director.After having read many rail memoirs having to grit teeth against the prevailing attitudes and practices of the unions, this one refreshingly tells a story from the other side and shows that there is room for a thrusting and dynamic approach after all.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting account of a railway career

R. · 16 January 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Adrian over the course of my own railway career so it was very interesting to read his book and enjoy the memories that it evoked. The book is well written and goes into just the right amount of detail and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

M.B. · 25 June 2018

not quite there

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and at times humorous read

K.C. · 5 April 2022

There are plenty of books that have been written by drivers but few about those who climbed the greasy promotion pole from engineer to sector director, thoroughly recommended. I've also just bought Adrian's book about his time with Chiltern trains and privatisation.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting autobiography by a man who has had a successful railway career

D.G. · 31 July 2022

I have met Adrian Shooter on a number of occasions and was therefore very interested to read this autobiography. Shooter has been a successful railwayman rising in the management of British Rail and then setting up one of the most successful franchises on the privatisation of the railways.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant behind-the-scenes account of a senior BR director

A. · 23 February 2021

If you are interested in how railways are run and how the British railway network developed in the years leading up to privatisation, you will find this account by maverick senior BR manager Adrian Shooter absolutely impossible to put down.Shooter recounts his many attempts to drag the BR businesses that he became responsible for into the 20th century, including the battles that he won and the battles that he lost.His passion for Britain's railways and for delivering quality service to the customer shines through on every page. This is not a book primarily about railway technology but about the human relationships that underpinned BR's operations.If such an perspective on BR's operations appeals to you, then read the book. You will not be disappointed!

1.0 out of 5 stars Only of interest to a few

A. · 10 September 2025

Only really interesting if you know the people and places he writes about. Having worked under him at St.Pancras all I can say is recollections of people and events may vary!

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Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways

Product ID: K1473893194
Condition: New

4.5

AED17212

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Hardcover
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

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Imported From: United Kingdom

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Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Visit the Pen & Sword Transport Store

Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways

Product ID: K1473893194
Condition: New

4.5

Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways-0
Type: Hardcover

AED17212

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

This book is the tale of a small boy from Surrey who had a fascination with anything on wheels and, also, loved to learn about people and what motivated them. He read a lot about railways and was excited by the innovations of our nineteenth-century predecessors. When the Beeching report came out in 1963, he decided that he wanted to be a part of the new order and help bring back some of that excitement. He describes his upbringing and paints a picture of the 'greyness' of the 1950s and then takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the world of 1960's engineering before he joined British Railway in 1970. The view from the inside presents readers with a whole new picture of what was really going on within British Rail at various levels. Much that is reported has never before been published, and the reasons for many decisions on previously opaque matters are explained. The author was cautioned by his school careers master to be wary of saying what he really thought. It seems that this piece of advice has not been heeded.
Read more

Review

Select Guide Rating

About the Author

Brought up in Surrey, Adrian joined British Railways as an Engineering Management Trainee in 1970. After twelve years managing various maintenance organisations, including helping to launch the HST service on the East Coast Mainline, he ran the first Driver Only passenger line in the UK. A spell running BR's express parcels company, Red Star, was followed by leading the creation of Train Operator, Rail Express Systems. This was excellent experience, which helped when he led a Management Buyout for Chiltern Railways, which went on to be one of the most successful Train Operating Companies. In 'retirement' he is still active in the Rail Industry.

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read

O.C. · 21 January 2023

A highly interesting account of a railway career in a book that pulls no punches, written with humour and very informative, with the author not afraid to say what he felt despite being advised by his school careers master to be wary of saying what he was really thinking, clearly advice he did not heed.I spent my working life on the railway and Adrian Shooter was my boss for around 3 years and many of the people mentioned in the book I worked with. This book brings back many happy memories of some my time on the railway.Sadly Adrian passed away recently and this book is a fitting tribute of the life and times of a great railwayman.

5.0 out of 5 stars A 99p surprise

A.C. · 27 January 2025

A fascinating book written from an unexpected angle as the authors career evolved, becoming eventually a sector director.After having read many rail memoirs having to grit teeth against the prevailing attitudes and practices of the unions, this one refreshingly tells a story from the other side and shows that there is room for a thrusting and dynamic approach after all.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting account of a railway career

R. · 16 January 2021

I had the pleasure of working with Adrian over the course of my own railway career so it was very interesting to read his book and enjoy the memories that it evoked. The book is well written and goes into just the right amount of detail and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

M.B. · 25 June 2018

not quite there

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting and at times humorous read

K.C. · 5 April 2022

There are plenty of books that have been written by drivers but few about those who climbed the greasy promotion pole from engineer to sector director, thoroughly recommended. I've also just bought Adrian's book about his time with Chiltern trains and privatisation.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting autobiography by a man who has had a successful railway career

D.G. · 31 July 2022

I have met Adrian Shooter on a number of occasions and was therefore very interested to read this autobiography. Shooter has been a successful railwayman rising in the management of British Rail and then setting up one of the most successful franchises on the privatisation of the railways.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant behind-the-scenes account of a senior BR director

A. · 23 February 2021

If you are interested in how railways are run and how the British railway network developed in the years leading up to privatisation, you will find this account by maverick senior BR manager Adrian Shooter absolutely impossible to put down.Shooter recounts his many attempts to drag the BR businesses that he became responsible for into the 20th century, including the battles that he won and the battles that he lost.His passion for Britain's railways and for delivering quality service to the customer shines through on every page. This is not a book primarily about railway technology but about the human relationships that underpinned BR's operations.If such an perspective on BR's operations appeals to you, then read the book. You will not be disappointed!

1.0 out of 5 stars Only of interest to a few

A. · 10 September 2025

Only really interesting if you know the people and places he writes about. Having worked under him at St.Pancras all I can say is recollections of people and events may vary!

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Europe”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/K1473893194