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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 12
Showing 500 of 7,480 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
York Station 1986 mainline departure of Mallard, plus NYMR Steam Specials
swindon_rail enthusiast
DRS 88, ROG 37, Climate 66 + TFW 197002 on test + much more all in a day @ Crewe 17/09/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways 1995. Westbury, Bath, Newport, Barry, Cardiff Docks, Leicester and Worcester
swindon_rail enthusiast
Orion 768001 (ex. 319010) Logistics on test + variety @ Eastleigh Works 28/07/21
swindon_rail enthusiast
LMS 45596 'Bahamas' + 67005/06 + more on 2 Charters @ Reading / Traincare / Didcot 24/07/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in Scotland 1991, 37s/47/Units.Crianlarich, Glenfinnan, Huntly.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtours 1996."Yorkshire Doodle Dandy" 37601/03, 31112/554, 56094, 60007, 58033.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways 1992. 37153/240 to the Kyle of Lochalsh, open window views from Aberdeen.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways 1994. inc. 86s at Norwich, Ipswich then Liverpool Street and Victoria for units
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Loco hauled in the'90s. Bangor, Cardiff, Chester, Llandudno, Newport etc
