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Intercity
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 7 months ago
InterCity was BR’s long-distance express brand, built around the HST and later the electric InterCity 225. It stood for speed, comfort and prestige, linking major cities and becoming one of British Rail’s strongest and best-known passenger businesses.
Founded
1966
Status
Historic (ended 1994)
Country
—
Regions
—
Website
—
Reference
—
Operator Code
—
Also known as:
IC
InterCity was British Rail’s flagship long-distance passenger sector, created as part of sectorisation in the 1980s but rooted in the earlier Inter-City brand introduced in 1966. It covered the main express routes linking Britain’s largest cities, and became the public face of BR’s higher-speed, higher-quality travel offer. More than any other sector, InterCity was associated with prestige, business travel and modernisation.
Its best-known train was the High Speed Train, later widely called the InterCity 125. Introduced from the late 1970s, the HST transformed diesel inter-city travel with 125 mph running, improved comfort and much faster journey times on routes such as the Great Western and East Coast main lines. It helped restore confidence in long-distance rail and became one of the most successful British train designs ever built.
On the electrified East Coast Main Line, InterCity later introduced the InterCity 225, formed of a Class 91 locomotive, Mark 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer. The first passenger service ran on 2 October 1989, and the train soon became a symbol of BR’s modern electric railway. During testing in September 1989, an InterCity 225 set reached 162 mph, setting a UK speed record, while in 1991 it achieved a London King’s Cross to Edinburgh timing of 3 hours 29 minutes.
InterCity mattered because it showed British Rail could compete strongly in the long-distance market through branding, faster trains and business-focused management. The famous dark grey livery with red and white striping reinforced its premium image. By the years before privatisation, InterCity was one of BR’s strongest commercial sectors. Its routes, identity and rolling stock passed into the post-1994 privatised railway, leaving a lasting influence on modern long-distance rail travel in Britain.
Its best-known train was the High Speed Train, later widely called the InterCity 125. Introduced from the late 1970s, the HST transformed diesel inter-city travel with 125 mph running, improved comfort and much faster journey times on routes such as the Great Western and East Coast main lines. It helped restore confidence in long-distance rail and became one of the most successful British train designs ever built.
On the electrified East Coast Main Line, InterCity later introduced the InterCity 225, formed of a Class 91 locomotive, Mark 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer. The first passenger service ran on 2 October 1989, and the train soon became a symbol of BR’s modern electric railway. During testing in September 1989, an InterCity 225 set reached 162 mph, setting a UK speed record, while in 1991 it achieved a London King’s Cross to Edinburgh timing of 3 hours 29 minutes.
InterCity mattered because it showed British Rail could compete strongly in the long-distance market through branding, faster trains and business-focused management. The famous dark grey livery with red and white striping reinforced its premium image. By the years before privatisation, InterCity was one of BR’s strongest commercial sectors. Its routes, identity and rolling stock passed into the post-1994 privatised railway, leaving a lasting influence on modern long-distance rail travel in Britain.
Intercity train videos - page 11
Showing 500 of 7,480 videos.
swindon_rail enthusiast
LSL 90002 + 82139 Intercity set provide additional Avanti Services + Variety @ Stafford 16/09/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
47828 + 47853 on the Dorset Coast Statesman | South West Rover day 7 | 31/08/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
50007 + 50049 GBRf Staff Charter | Trains in Devon | South West Rover day 5 | 27/08/22
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in Doncaster, varying traction, liveries, freights and passenger services Aug.2022
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 66734 'Platinum Jubilee' drags 455817 + 455820 through Swindon to Newport Sims 26/07/22
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales.24 years ago ay Cwmbargoed on Military exercise, Western Tour.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Steam Railways at Llangollen - Glyndyfrdwy. 58926/49395. Track-side along the line.
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 60026 'Hellvelyn' on Drax biomass! + trains variety @ Manchester Victoria 06/05/22
![D213 [40013] - "The Norfolk Coast Express" - 16th April 2022 [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tvep5bfS1Vg/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLCviyqaPf1qq_gNX1xvDCcLYTpHOQ)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways at York in 1991. 24 movements with, 08, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58, 60, HSTs
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Guinness Book of Records UK Train Ride, 1387 miles in under 24 hours in 1984
swindon_rail enthusiast
390121 Climate, ROG 37510 Orion, 323s trains variety: in what a day on WMR and beyond 12/02/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
IC 43049 + EMR 43047 HST's with Blue Pullmans head into Eastleigh Works 19/01/22
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
The 125 Heritage group at the Colne Valley Railway in Essex | Power car Tour |
