Description

Following the decision by a Conservative government in July 1992 to ‘privatise’ British Rail, the old railway with its fully integrated operations base was quickly broken up into ‘convenient business sectors’ – ready for sale to private operators.

Virtually overnight the face of Britain’s railway network began to change. Many of today’s operations are managed as ‘shadow privatised companies’ and are actively seeking commercial bidders. With many operational aspects facing a very uncertain future, there’s never been a better time to examine the diverse railway operations that are currently on offer.

This superbly produced DVD, especially compiled from various Tele Rail programmes, and exclusively produced for RAIL looks at some of the most interesting aspects of Britain’s railway network including:-

• The Gatwick Express, featuring class 73 action. The East Coast main line highlighting the huge investment and prestigious services now in the hands of the class 91s.

• A site visit to one of the most important railfreight users: British Steel at Teesside, where the busy internal railway handles huge volumes of traffic.

• Archive action from the not too distant past when blue liveried Westerns ruled supreme in the West Country. Two of Scotland’s most scenic rural routes are contrasted: the Kyle of Lochalsh line and the West Highland line to Fort William.

• Preserved modern traction in action on the East Lancs Railway featuring ‘Hymek’, ‘Western, ‘Warship’ and Class 14 action.

• Marchwood Military railway – a visit behind the normally firmly closed doors at one of the countries private Ministry of Defence lines.

• The West Coast Main Line, a look at a line badly needing new investment.

• The class 59 story, a triumph of private initiative, featuring Foster Yeoman, ARC and the complete Drax operation.

• Wagon load freight operations in Germany and prestigious continental passenger operations inclding ICE, TGV and Eurostar.