Parts 1, 2 and 3 were published in Steam World July, August and September 2023
The Railway Executive came to end with the passing of the Transport Act 1953. Newly knighted Sir Victor Michael Barrington-Ward, along with Robert Riddles, had been ‘encouraged’ to retire.
Three Traffic Advisors now reported to the Secretary General of the British Transport Commission (D. Blee 1955-56; T. E. Hollingsworth 1956-61, and S.E. Raymond 1961-62) and to whom the Chief Operating Officer and Motive Power Officer (R.F. Harvey 1955-58), Chief Traffic Officer (F. Grundy 1957-59, E.W. Arkle 1960-1961) and Chief Operating Officer (G.F. Fiennes 196162) reported as members of what was known as the Central Staff.
For far too long the BTC was beset with organisation and re-organisation, but the overriding fact is that the desired policy of the Regions taking more control of the daytoday running of the railways through their own organisation prevailed and operating matters with headquarters were administered via Committee. Significant in the BTC re-organisation was the separation of the dual operating and motive power responsibilities from 1957 and the closer alignment of operating matters between headquarters and the Regions through the Chief Regional Traffic Officers.
Modernisation opportunities
The initial introduction in 1954-55 of lightweight diesel multiple units had proven to be a success in terms of
