The “Beeching Cuts” or “Beeching’s Axe” is the common description for the government’s attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running the railways in the UK. Dr Beeching was the main author of the now famous report The Reshaping of British Railways, which recommended the removal of local passenger lines that were viewed as unprofitable. This began a period of massive change in the UK’s railways.
Ironically these scissors were made to mark the opening of the re-built Plymouth Station opened by Beeching on the 26th March 1962. They were made by T.Hardy & Sons that same year and were kindly donated to the National Railway Museum by Beeching’s daughter, Ann Bailey.
Along with the scissors a presentation salver engraved with an aerial view of Tinsley Marshalling Yard showing the layout of the yard, buildings and bridges was also donated to the museum
John McGoldrick Curator of Railways at the National Railway Museum commented:
“We are delighted to receive these superb items. They are rich in their railway connections, especially because they were used by Dr Beeching, who is synonymous with the cuts which completely restructured Britain’s railways.” -- www.nrm.org.uk
