Embsay railwayman Stan Hall launches new book (From Craven Herald)

Embsay railwayman Stan Hall launches new book

9:00am Wednesday 16th January 2013 in News

Railwayman and author Stan Hall charts his own personal journey from trainspotter to a job in the highest ranks of the business in his latest book “A Railwayman’s Odyssey”.

He tells the story of the rail network from 1930 to 1970, taking in the end of steam in 1968. The period saw him rise from junior clerk to superintendent.

His book, one of many volumes he has carved out since his retirement, is packed with evocative, black and white images including a photograph of him meeting the late Princess Margaret alighting from a sleeper at Kings Cross.

“A treasured memory of a dazzling smile,” says Stan who started his career at the booking office in Keighley and retired as British Rail’s senior officer in charge of signalling for the whole of the railway.

It’s a story not just for railway fanatics as it makes fascinating reading for anyone interested in how a man turned his hobby into a career and at a time of huge transition.

In 1970, Stan, who now lives in Embsay, had another 12 years as a railwayman, continuing to climb the ladder moving from Birmingham, where he was superintendent to London, the headquarters of British Rail.

He was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to the railway industry.

The book, published by Ian Allan, is available at £25 from Amazon and on the WH Smith website.