Diesel Power Around Banbury 1987–1992 | Class 31, 37, 47, 56 & 60 Freight

A look back at diesel railway action around Banbury between 1987 and 1992, capturing a fascinating period of change on the former British Rail network.

The film opens at Cropredy with a Class 31 hauling a rake of underground engineering stock southwards before moving to Banbury Station, where the camera captures a mixture of passenger and freight workings.

Among the highlights are Class 37 and Class 47 locomotives, including 47s working both passenger and freight services, followed by a southbound Class 56 hauling loaded MGR coal wagons towards Didcot Power Station.

The final sequence, filmed near King's Sutton, brings the story into the early 1990s with a Class 60 working northbound with empty MGR wagons returning from Didcot.

Filmed over several years, this archive footage provides a snapshot of the changing face of diesel traction around Banbury — from the final years of traditional BR operations through to the arrival of the Class 60s.

A nostalgic look at railway operations in the late 1980s and early 1990s, featuring freight trains, passenger services and plenty of classic diesel traction.

#BritishRailways #Banbury #RailwayArchive #DieselLocomotives #Class31 #Class37 #Class47 #Class56 #Class60 #MGR