electrical engineering apprentice; electric multiple units; diesel electric locomotives; electrification; locomotive testing; Blue Pullman; diesel locomotives; mechanical and electrical engineering, Railway Technical Centre, research department; traction; Transmark; Eurostar; train performance; East Coast Main Line electrification; business sectors; track adhesion; energy use; privatisation; d.o.b. 1935-05-12, railway work: 1956-1965 (General Electric Company Traction), railway work: 1964-1995 (British Rail), railway work: 1995- (part-time consultancy), General Electrical Company (GEC); London Transport; British Railways; University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST); Transmark; Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer (SNCF); Foster Yeoman Ltd; General Motors; Railtrack; Comreco; Virgin Rail; Birmingham; Southend; Watford; Styal loop; Manchester-Crewe; Shenfield; Derby; Windermere; Willesden; Liverpool-Southend; Mount Newman, Australia; Lisbon, Oporto, Portugal; Calais, Boulogne, France; Channel Tunnel; East Coast Main Line; Weaver junction; Shap; Beattock; Germany; Theale, Reading; Glasgow; Doncaster; West Coast Main Line; London;