British Railways in the 1970s and ’80s

Author: Greg Morse
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0747814104
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 65

Book Description
For British Rail, the 1970s was a time of contrasts, when bad jokes about sandwiches and pork pies often belied real achievements, like increasing computerisation and the arrival of the high-speed Inter-City 125s. But while television advertisements told of an 'Age of the Train', Monday morning misery continued for many, the commuter experience steadily worsening as rolling stock aged and grew ever more uncomfortable. Even when BR launched new electrification schemes and new suburban trains in the 1980s, focus still fell on the problems that beset the Advanced Passenger Train, whose ignominious end came under full media glare. In British Railways in the 1970s and '80s, Greg Morse guides us through a world of Traveller's Fare, concrete concourses and peak-capped porters, a difficult period that began with the aftershock of Beeching but ended with BR becoming the first nationalised passenger network in the world to make a profit.

British Rail Scene

Author: Andy Sparks
Publisher: History Press
ISBN: 9780750970136
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
Taking railway photographs and capturing an age of impressive locomotives and atmospheric stations is a pastime that the age of steam passed down through generations, even after its own decline in favour of diesel and electric traction. It was certainly one that avid teenage trainspotter Andy Sparks sought to take up, emulating the work of prized 1960s railway photographer Colin T. Gifford. But by the 1970s, when Andy's camera was at the ready and after Beeching's axe had come down on the British railway network, modernisation and rationalisation were rapidly sweeping away the vestiges of the previous age, and dereliction and decay intertwined much of what could be seen. Desperate to capture the scene, Andy took thousands of photographs from 1972 until the early 1980s, and his images beautifully convey the nostalgic, gritty years of that era of change on Britain's railways. From his lens to the pages of this book, this is a unique look at an oft-overlooked period of British railway history.

Railways of the Western Region in the 1970s and 1980s

Author: Kevin Redwood
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 1445684322
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 187

Book Description
With a wealth of rare and previously unpublished images, Kevin Redwood documents this fascinating period in Britain’s railway history.

British Railways in the 1950s and ’60s

Author: Greg Morse
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0747812624
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 106

Book Description
As Britain moved from austerity to prosperity in the 1950s and 1960s, it became clear that British Railways needed to modernise its equipment and rationalise its network if it was to hold its own in the face of growing competition from road and air transport. After attempting to maintain pre-war networks and technology in the 1950s, a reversal of policy in the 1960s brought line closures, new liveries and the last breath of steam, as Dr Beeching and his successors strove to break even and build a new business from the old. From Britannia to the 'Blue Pullman', Evening Star to Inter-City, Greg Morse takes us through this turbulent twenty-year period, which started with drab prospects and ended with BR poised to launch the fastest diesel-powered train in the world.

British Railways in the 1970s and ’80s

Author: Greg Morse
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0747814090
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 113

Train Doctor

Author: Roger Senior
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1473870445
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 366

Book Description
Train Doctor is the story of Roger Senior's career in the railway industry, from 1968 when the author joined British Railways, until his retirement from Great North Eastern Railway.The book takes you from the 1970s period, with its first generation Diesels, through to privatisation in 1994 and the electrified East Coast main line.This will be of interest to enthusiasts and modern railway historians, with its inside look at the railway industry during a time of considerable change.The author began his career with first generation diesel classes, on the Eastern Region, of what was then British Railways and went on to work with the High Speed Train Fleet, when they were first introduced to main line service, in the 1970s.This is a story of troubleshooting, with many different types of modern traction over a period of twenty-five years, an insight in to the trials and tribulations of keeping the railway running, in all weathers and at all costs.Roger Senior later worked with electric traction, both before and after privatisation, on the East Coast main line, finishing his career with Great North Eastern Railway as the Resident Engineer for the refurbishment of the MK1V fleet known as the Mallard project.

Memories of Middlesbrough in the 1970s and 1980s

Author: Tosh Warwick
Publisher: Heritage Unlocked
ISBN: 1913375153
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 99

Book Description
The story of Middlesbrough as a town is one that dates back less than two centuries, with the emergence of the modern urban centre the product of Victorian industrialisation and rapid urban expansion. Despite this relatively short history, the fascination and pride in Middlesbrough’s heritage is as strong as that found in established historical towns, evokes poignant memories and prompts lively debates. Memories of Middlesbrough in the 1970s and 1980s includes over 100 historic photographs of many of the town’s familiar landmarks and provides an insight into a period that brought unprecedented change. Inspired by the photographs of John Severs, Teesside Archives and other private and public collections, the book charts demolition of historic buildings, the disappearance of many industries, regeneration, sporting glories and shares the memories of the people of Middlesbrough.

The Architecture and Legacy of British Railway Buildings

Author: Robert Thornton
Publisher: The Crowood Press
ISBN: 1785007122
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 510

Book Description
Railway buildings have always had a fascinating character all of their own, despite many no longer being in operational railway service. This book tells the story of how these buildings evolved alongside the development of the railway in Great Britain and examines how architects over the years have responded to the operational, social and cultural influences that define their work. Written for those with a keen interest in architecture and the railway, as well as those new to the subject, The Architecture and Legacy of British Railway Buildings provides an unique insight into the production of railway architecture, both in the context of railway management and the significant periods of ownership, and the swings in national mood for railway-based transportation. As well as tracing its history, the authors take time to consider the legacy these buildings have left behind and the impact of heritage on a continually forward-looking industry. Topics covered include: the context of railway architecture today; the history of how it came into existence; the evolution of different railway building types; the unique aspects of railway building design, and finally, the key railway development periods and their architectural influences.

British Rail 1974-1997

Author: Terence Richard Gourvish
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199269099
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 770

Book Description
Based on privileged access to the British Railway Board's rich archives, this book provides and authoritative account of the progress made by the British Railway System prior to its privatization. It offers a unique account of the last fifteen years of nationalized railways in Britain, and it sheds light on the current problems of privatized railway systems. This volume is divided into four complete and concise sections for complete study: 'Railways Under Labour (1974-1979)', 'The Thatcher Revolution (British Rail in the 1980's)', 'On The Threshold of Privatization: Running the Railways (1990-1994)', and 'Responding to Privatization (1981-1997)'. Author Terry Gourvish is considered Britain's leading railway historian.

South Wales Railways in the 1980s

Author: Kevin Redwood
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN: 1445695820
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 189

Book Description
The South Wales Division was one of the three operating divisions of the Western Region. Explore the South Wales Railways in the 1980s with previously unpublished photographs.