Forgive the little bit of advertising, but I heartily recommend folks to purchase the latest edition of
RAIL magazine.
The magazine is celebrating it's 30th anniversary and there are some excellent articles and opinion pieces highlighting what has changed on the
UK▸ rail network in the last three decades. Barry Doe's analysis of fares pre- and post privatisation is particularly enlightening!
Some snippets from the main 30th anniversary article.....
Early 80's.
APT▸ came and went. Another 20 or so years would pass before we would get tilting trains back.
Also early 80's. 'Deltics' were withdrawn from frontline service, only to see one back in action on freight workings in 2011.
1984 saw plans to close the Chiltern Main Line, with Marylebone converted to a coach station.
1984 also saw the spectacular staged crash of a Class 46 'Peak' loco and Mk I coaches into a
nuclear flask at the Old Dalby test track.1986 saw the launch of Network SouthEast, possibly
BR▸ 's greatest re-branding exercise.
1986 also saw the green light given to a Channel tunnel, although Maggie was more keen on seeing a road tunnel. Well done to Fran^ois Mitterand for poo-pooing that idea!
1989 saw the Settle to Carlisle route saved from closure. A debt of gratitude is owed to Michael Portillo for that sensible decision.
1993 sees the government announce its privatisation plans.
1996. The first privatised train runs - the 0510
SWT▸ Twickenham-London Waterloo. It was supposed to have been the 0150 Great Western Trains' service from Fishguard Harbour to Paddington but that service was cancelled due to engineering works with passengers transferred to a bus. So, arguably the first privatised service was a rail replacement bus!
1997 saw the last BR services. The sleepers from Edinburgh and Glasgow on March 31st.
1999-2002 was a period dominated by major rail disasters. Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield, Great Heck and Potters Bar. Accidents that still reverberate today.
2003. Tilting trains return to the UK network with the full introduction of Virgin's Pendolinos. APT technology comes home, via Italy!
2006. The
DfT» stores 12
FGW▸ DMUs▸ . A decision that had major repercussions in the Bristol area. The effects of which are still felt today.
2007. High Speed 1 opens and Eurostar is transferred from Waterloo to a beautifully restored St Pancras.
2009. National Express walks away from its
NXEC▸ franchise and the East Coast passenger route become state owned.
And finally....2011.
GWML▸ electrification is given the green light by government and a butter fingered crane operator drops a brand new Class 70 freight loco onto the dock at Newport!
May you live in interesting times....
