Shepperton: Ian Allan Ltd

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 7 Dec 2008

"Boys" of, ahem, a certain age will remember Ian Allan with affection for it was he who first produced and printed the ABC series of booklets containing lists of railway engine numbers. Later his company diversified into travel and motors amongst other interests. This is the group's Shepperton building in Station Approach, constructed in 1963 and reputedly containing and incorporating a 1922 Pullman coach as part of the fabric of the structure. The coach is said to be in use as the company's board room. Ian Allan himself began his working life as a 15 year old clerk in the office of the General Manager of the Southern Railway at Waterloo station, rapidly rising to a position in the publications department where he learned about the printing and publication of the railway's customer magazine. His suggestion to the management that in view of the number of enquiries he had received from members of the general public a booklet containing details of all the steam engines operated by the Southern Railway would be a popular money spinner was turned down, but he was given permission to publish it himself subject to him taking on board all the costs and risks. The rest is history...

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