British Railways 1948-73: A Business History

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title British Railways 1948-73: A Business History
Authors and Contributors      By (author) T. R. Gourvish
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:844
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreIndustrialisation and industrial history
Economic history
ISBN/Barcode 9780521188838
ClassificationsDewey:385.06541
Audience
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Illustrations Worked examples or Exercises

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 28 April 2011
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Originally published in 1986, this is a business history of the first twenty-five years of nationalised railways in Britain. Commissioned by the British Railways Board and based on the Board's extensive archives, it fully analyses the dynamics of nationalised industry management and the complexities of the vital relationship with government. After exploring the origins of nationalisation, the book deals with the organisation, financial performance, investment and commercial policies of the British Transport Commission (1948-2), Railway Executive (1948-53) and British Railways Board (1963-73). Calculations of profit and loss, investment, and productivity are provided on a consistent basis for 1948-73. This business history thus represents a major contribution not only to the debate about the role of the railways in a modern economy but also to that concerning the nationalised industries, which have proved to be one of the most enduring problems of the British economy since the war.