Britain gave railways to the world, yet its own network is the dearest (definitely) and the worst (probably) in Western Europe. Trains are deeply embedded in the national psyche and folklore - yet it is considered uncool to care about them.
For Matthew Engel the railway system is the ultimate expression of Britishness. It represents all the nation's ingenuity, incompetence, nostalgia, corruption, humour, capacity for suffering and even sexual repression. To uncover its mysteries, Engel has travelled the system from Penzance to Thurso, exploring its history and talking to people from politicians to platform staff.
Along the way Engel ('half-John Betjeman, half-Victor Meldrew') finds the most charmingly bizarre train in Britain, the most beautiful branch line, the rudest railwayman, and - after a quest lasting decades - an Individual Pot of Strawberry Jam. Eleven Minutes Late is both a polemic and a paean, and it is also very funny.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9780330512374
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 244 g
Dimensions: 196 x 130 x 22 mm
Excellent book. Very funny. Reminds me of the many journeys i have taken
This book takes you on a train journey around the UK whilst giving you an insight into the history of the railways and it's many ups and (mainly) downs. Mathew Engel has a brilliant style of writing and humor is... More
Britain gave railways to the world , yet it's own network is more expensive and is probably the worst run in Western Europe . The author travels by train from Penzance to Thurso , exploring our railway's... More
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