Stephen Poole joined British Rail in 1973 working for three of its Regions & then for three of its Business Sectors in the run-up to privatisation He experienced stations depots freight parcels yards signalling catering major projects & business development Using his extensive knowledge of the workings of British Rail he paints a vivid picture of its inner life set against the backdrop of political industrial & social change that dominated the last twenty years of the nationalised railway Inside British Rail is both a celebration of the determination & camaraderie shown by staff working in an industry that was struggling to survive & a nuanced assessment of the difficulties both internal & external that contributed to its demise