Book review: Chiltern Railways The Inside Story

Recently published by Pen & Sword, Adrian Shooter's book is an insight into how his character and drive, aligned to several sets of favourable circumstances, created and sustained one of Britain's success stories of the rail franchise era. As readers of this blog from its early days will know, I am a fan both of Adrian Shooter and of his franchised service. Indeed, after he had stepped down from Chiltern in 2011, I described him as 'Passionate, opinionated, involved' and to some extent this could describe his book. Adrian's passion for the rail industry and for Chiltern Railways in particular is clear; he is forthright in his opinions of civil servants, other TOC managers, and politicians (not to mention the Strategic Rail Authority); and his involvement with staff, trains, and infrastructure is evident on every page. But... there are telling omissions in the story that Adrian tells. Many staff are (rightly) singled out for praise for their contributions to the project that was Chiltern Railways but not every department of the company gets a mention. He is proud of the Class 168s as a huge contributor to the inital success of Chiltern (and which still carry the burden of the Birmingham to London services) but there is little on the Class 67 / Silver Set introductions (and nothing on the abortive attempt to introduce 90 minute running between Moor Street and Marylebone). Evergreen 1 and 2 and the Oxford link are covered as successful infrastructure projects yet the collapse of the Gerrard's Cross tunnel which almost brought the company to its knees is covered but briefly (Hugh Jones opens his 2010 book on Chiltern Railways with a very vivid description of the impact that the tunnel collapse had on the company's psyche). Perhaps the strangest omission is the lack of any insights into the rivalry with Virgin Trains though the famous billboards outside Moor Street station are illustrated. Richard Branson doesn't get a mention and Virgin Trains are virtually ignored. This is all very strange as one of the decisions for which Adrian was (presumably) responsible for making was to go after the Birmingham-London market and to increase Chiltern's share (especially by removing the need to drive to and park at Birmingham International). The flip side of this strategic decision - the increasing howls of frustration from the commuters at the London of the line at their treatment by Chiltern - is also not addressed. So alongside his 2018 autobiography (also published by Pen & Sword), this book gives a clear description of what has made Adrian Shooter such a success in his chosen field and is invaluable in filling in some of the Chiltern story not covered by Hugh Jones. So highly recommended but one that leaves me feeling that there is more to the 'inside' story... Book list: Shooter, Adrian Chiltern Railways The Inside Story Pen & Sword 2022 £30 1526792494 Shooter, Adrian Adrian Shooter: A Life in Engineering and Railways Pen & Sword 2018 1473893194 Harper, Richard and Rushton, Gordon Wrexham & Shropshire: Open Access - The One That Got Away Adlestrop Press 2014 0957145616 Jones, Hugh The Chiltern Railways Story The History Press Ltd 2010 0752454544