Geoffrey Freeman Allen (16 March 1922 – 7 July 1995) was an English author specialising in the field of railways. He authored many books and magazine articles on this subject, and for a time was editor of ''

Jane's World Railways ''Janes World Railways'' is a directory of railway activities worldwide. It is published annually by Jane's Information Services. Janes World Railways (JWR) provides details on railway systems and operators, manufacturers of equipment, technolo ...

''. His name was usually styled G. Freeman Allen.

Greater Anglia Greater Anglia (legal name Transport UK East Anglia Limited) is a British train operating company owned as a joint venture by Transport UK Group and Mitsui & Co. It operates the East Anglia franchise, providing the commuter and inter-city se ...

used to operate a class 321

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number o ...

named ''“Geoffrey Freeman Allen”''.

Life and career

Born in England in 1922, Geoffrey Freeman Allen was the son of Cecil J. Allen who was also a writer on railways and was editor of the magazine '' Trains Illustrated'' in the late 1940s. Geoffrey left a career in the

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

in 1948 to join the writing staff at ''Trains Illustrated'', and in 1950 succeeded his father as editor. He developed a new style of railway journalism which focused more on business than on train performance and technological innovation and design. Under his lengthy tenure the magazine was rebranded to its current name, ''Modern Railways''. He also served as editor of ''Railways World'' for many years. Allen eventually left his role as editor to become the managing director of the publishing firm Ian Allan Ltd., the publisher of ''Modern Railways'' and other magazines and books. Uncomfortable in this role, he stepped down after a few years to take the position of editor of ''

''. He retired from that position in 1992, but continued to contribute as writer after. He died in 1995.

Publications

* ''

Modern Railways ''Modern Railways'' is a monthly British magazine covering the rail transport industry, which was published by Ian Allan until March 2012 and Key Publishing since then. It has been published since 1962. The magazine was based originally in Shep ...

'' magazine – first editor (and final editor of its predecessor, ''Trains Illustrated''). * * * * * G. Freeman Allen (1981). ''Modern Railways International Review''. Ian Allan, London.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, G. Freeman British rail transport writers English magazine editors 1922 births 1995 deaths