British Rail in the Eighties
days that they were built, few decades have seen greater changes on our railways than the 80s. In 1980 it looked doubtful whether many secondary main lines, let alone branch services, would survive a further ten years; in the event very little was closed, even Barmouth Viaduct being rebuilt; the problems of the late 80s were a com- bination of dramatic increases in passenger volumes and the Government ever cutting back on subsidies.
The authors (the same as those of the famous '150' and 'Great Days' series) have been helped by a team of distinguished contributors and photographers in producing this definitive record of the eventful decade. There is much sheer nostalgia here, but also substantial reference value. The aim has been to provide a book that not only gives immediate enjoyment, but which will be useful on the shelves for many years to come. The fifteen chapters include a general portrait 'The Age of the Train', detailed investigations into the sectors (sectorisation being the means by which BR made itself more commercial) and surveys of aspects such as closures and openings (almost more of the latter than the former) the revolution in motive power, signalling, catering and the Channel Tunnel.
The changing world of special and charter trains is also brought under the microscope, and steam is not forgotten, there being a profile of its tenuous hold on BR during the decade. As you would expect, the book includes a chronology.
The colour and black and white photo- graphs have been chosen partly for their technical and reference importance, but also to build into a total evocation of the decade in which Pullmans made an unexpected comeback, many specialist freight movements expanded, provincial expresses began. running from Britain's West to East Coast, and as the Channel Tunnel became a reality, disputes about an upgraded route to London were temporarily put out of the news by a dramatic accident at Clapham Junction.
This is a book for anyone who has taken an interest in British Rail during the 80s. It is a story of a period that proved far more fascinating and rewarding for railway enthusiasts than seemed possible ten years ago.
Hardback with dust jacket, 22x28cm, 192 pages, black & white photographs
Condition: Good/Very Good
ISBN: 9780715398548
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Updated: 2 April 2024