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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 13
Showing 500 of 7,480 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
G.M.Gyrator 59103/201/206. Jan 1997.On board window views, Newport-Knottingley
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
BR Blue W43006 & E43112 on the Fen Line working 5L46 to Ely Papworth 31/12/19
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
BR Blue 43112 & 43006 work 1Z43 & 5Z51 LNER's Let’s Go Round Again HST farewell tour 21/12/19
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
A couple of days at Inverness Station & a ride on the Highland Chieftain (43257 & 43238) 16&17.11.19
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Cab Ride in IET, Record Breaker . Cardiff - Paddington in 93.44 mins 23.10.19
Dylan's Travel Reports
LNER First Class Review | The Highland Chieftain | London Kings Cross to Inverness
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
A day in Norfolk filming, and riding DRS' Intercity 37419 & BR 37424 13/7/2019
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
HST Final arrival/departure at Paddington. Onboard in/out of Paddington
