Train Doctor (ePub)
Trouble Shooting with Diesel and Electric Traction
Imprint: Pen & Sword Transport
File Size: 8.3 MB (.epub)
Pages: 214
Illustrations: 150 colour and black & white illustrations
ISBN: 9781473870444
Published: 6th July 2016
Shortlisted for...
the Railways and Canal Historical Society Book of the Year Awards 2017
Train Doctor is the story of Roger Senior's career in the railway industry, from 1968 when the author joined British Railways, until his retirement from Great North Eastern Railway.
The book takes you from the 1970’s period, with its first generation Diesels, through to privatisation in 1994 and the electrified East Coast main line.
This will be of interest to enthusiasts and modern railway historians, with its inside look at the railway industry during a time of considerable change.
The author began his career with first generation diesel classes, on the Eastern Region, of what was then British Railways and went on to work with the High Speed Train Fleet, when they were first introduced to main line service, in the 1970s.
This is a story of troubleshooting, with many different types of modern traction over a period of twenty-five years, an insight in to the trials and tribulations of keeping the railway running, in all weathers and at all costs.
Roger Senior later worked with electric traction, both before and after privatisation, on the East Coast main line, finishing his career with Great North Eastern Railway as the Resident Engineer for the refurbishment of the MK1V fleet known as the ‘Mallard’ project.
Railway history needs more accounts like this.
Society of Model & Experimental Engineers
Every year around a dozen books are published about diesel and electric traction but are rarely worth a second glance. This book is an exception.
Railway and Canal Historical Society
There is much here about railway work that does not appear in most railwaymen's autobiographical writings. What comes through strongly is the authors commitment to the job, never knowing from day to day when he would get back home. The publishers were right not to polish the author's colloquial style, which gives added authenticity.
This is a book for the connoisseur of the modern London scene, with large colour photographs throughout which make it good value for money.
Wessex Transport Society
This work throws plenty of light on a crucial aspect of railway working, without which those delayed trains would be a good deal more unpunctual. In its quiet way, heroic stuff.
Stephenson Locomotive Society
About Roger Senior
Born in Leeds in the mid-1940s, Roger Seniour spent the first eleven years growing up around the vast array of railway lines and depots in the Leeds area. At fifteen, he began a seven-year apprenticeship as an Electrical Engineer, learning how to repair electric motors, transformers, and industrial wiring. In 1968 he found employment within the railway, and was eventually promoted to Technical Riding Inspector, which lasted for sixteen years, before finishing up as the Resident Engineer for the MK1V fleet of vehicles.