Eleven Minutes Late

Britain gave railways to the world, yet its own network is the dearest (definitely) and the worst (probably) in Western Europe. To Matthew Engel the railway system is the ultimate expression of Britishness. In his quest to uncover its mysteries he travels the system from Penzance to Thurso, exploring its history and talking to politicians and station staff. Engel (half-John Betjeman, half-Victor Meldrew) finds the most charmingly bizarre train in Britain, the most beautiful branch line, the rudest railwayman, and after a quest lasting decades, an Individual Pot of Strawberry Jam. A polemic and a paean ... it is also very funny.