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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 9
Showing 500 of 7,479 videos.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1995 Vol 02 (March - June) 1995
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1995 Vol 01 (January - March 1995)
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s North Wales Coast Motive Power Day 1995 Rhyl Station on 20th May 1995
Oscar The Trainspotter
Two Tone | 47805 + 47828 Drag the Statesman Pullman through Market Harborough | 28/03/24
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s London Paddington & Westbourne Park Area on 27th December 1994
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in 1999. "Northern Venturer" 20302 37612 37610. Crewe to Carlisle. Open window view.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in England. with 20/37/47/56/60/66/87/90/HST. Preston & Warrington 1999
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Let's Fill Up Mark's Tape Circa September 1994 by Nick Winfield
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Sutton Park Sutton Coldfield W Midlands Disused on 15th April 1994
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1993 Vol 02 July October 1993
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Maindee West Junction Newport South Wales on 11th November 1993
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Arpley Railway Yard and Warrington Bank Quay WCML on 17th September 1993
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1993 Volume 01 (Jan- Jul 1993)
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Steam Shuttles at Didcot North Jn & Hinksey North Jn on 2nd January 1993
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Some Specials at Worting Jn + Basingstoke in July & September 1992
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales at Llandudno, Bangor, Barry and Chester in Summer 1995.
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 66731 + 66734 | Hinksey Sidings to Eastleigh Yard | passing Basingstoke 22/11/23
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Pouparts Junction & Culvert Road Junction Clapham on 27th November 1991
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s A Full Day at Mossend Railway Yard South End on 10th October 1991
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Arpley Railway Yard Warrington Bank Quay on 2nd & 8th August 1991
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Bescot Railway Yard South Entrance Birmingham on 16th May 1991
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways in 1990 at Crewe. Over 30 movements Including 1st sight of Mark IV carriages.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Nine Elms Between Queenstown Road & Vauxhall on 15th November 1990
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
HST Final run Cardiff-Swansea-Paddington. Window view all the way. 18th May 2019
The Railway Tavern 🍺
HST FRENZY for FINAL EVER UK timetabled working for INTERCITY 125. 1E73 18/09/23
swindon_rail enthusiast
43007 + 43008 on the Final XC HST | Plymouth to Leeds @ Trowbridge crossing | 18/09/23
BOBP Railway Videos / 125 Heritage
43165s first start and test run in preservation | Colne Valley Railway | 16/09/2023
