“Eleven Minutes Late” by Matthew Engel

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

“Eleven minutes Late” is subtitled “A Train Journey To The Heart of Britain”, and what an apt subtitle this is – it sums up the contents of the book very neatly.

Before I get involved let me make clear that this book was to me a superb find. I have not enjoyed a book on trains so much in a long time, and without reservation I really really recommend it!

Starting at the beginning, the title refers to the latest idiosyncrasy of the British railway network, in that a long distance train is only "late" if the delay at arrival exceeds ten minutes.! How this all works is explained!

The story is about how Matthew Engel took on a journey from Penzance to Thurso and back; up and down the modern network, looking on the way at the many idiosyncracies of a system built by feuding Victorian entrepreneurs who were more interested in making a profit than providing a ration network and service.

But there is plenty more as the whole book is intertwined with the history of the British Railway System, and many many other asides including main themes on……..

- A History of how the system developed
- The Railway Mania of the mid 19th Century,
- Nationalisation into British Rail
- The 1990s privatisation and its aftermath

And sub themes on……

- Stations
- Social History
- Accidents
- Sex and the railways
- Victorian Culture
- Stagecoaches
- The effect of the Motot Car

…………and you name it!

To add to all this, along the way the story is interspersed with anecdotes about the people and situations he finds on his journey.

Best of all he does all the above with a light readabvle style, full of wit and humour that will put a smile on your face all the way through!

An excellent book – I cannot recommend this enough!

Available from amazon.co.uk

[John Ashworth]

Sounds interesting - I think I'll order a copy

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

It has just come out in paperback, so it should be cheaper.

The Book Despository should also have it, so you can do a pricing exercise! I actually go it a while ago and it gathered dust until I found it other day and starting it!

You are familiar with the histroy so a lot will not be new, but I sure yiu will find it entertaining. Was reading about Beecham and his cronies at the weeknd.

In terms of the Engel says over 2,000 stations went! With the left hand not knowing what the right was doing - one station was refurbed 2 days before it was closed etc!