Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle

Est. 1970 - 71

• Formation of the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle.
  
  
• Beeching closures continue although at a slower pace than the previous decade.
  
  
• British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) is created.
  
  
• TOPS (Total Operating Processing System) changes the classification system for locomotives and units.
  
  
• The HST arrives on the scene outsting the much loved Deltics from the East Coast Main Line.
  
  
• The first Phoenix book 'Modern Rail Album' is published closely followed by 'BR Diesels and Electrics Around Great Britain'.

Snapshot from the 80's

• 'Trains of Thought', the third Phoenix book is published.
  
  
• The IC225 East Coast Main Line project is authorised.
  
  
• Electrification reaches Norwich on the Great Eastern Main Line and Bedford on the Midland Main Line.
  
  
• Sectorisation is introduced, a pre-cursor to Privatisation.
  
  
• The Seprell Report recommends hefty line closures which were thankfully not realised.

• Phoenix celebrates 25 years of creative railway photography.
  
  
• The Railways Act 1993 was introduced and the British Railways Board was broken up.
  
  
• The Wharfdale line in West Yorkshire was electrified.
  
  
• The Pendolino arrived on our shores.
  
  
• CrossRail was cancelled, or maybe just put on hold.
  
  
• Railtrack was formed and Privatisation was complete by 1997.

• Railtrack collapses and the state owned Network Rail is created.
  
  
• Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) opened to St Pancras now referred to as HS1.
  
  
• Passenger loadings continue to increase on the new privatised railway.
  
  
• HS2 to connect London and the Midlands with a second phase to the north-west and north-east is announced.
  
  
• Open Access Operators emerge.

• The Carbon Tax causes the collapse of coal by rail for electricity generation.
  
  
• The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) spells the end for the much maligned Pacer.
  
  
• A myriad of new freight operators make inroads on the business of the main three operators.
  
  
• Highest number of passenger journeys recorded since 1920.
  
  

Chicargoland, Michael Baker.

Click on the image to go to the 20-10's gallery

Snapshot from the Twenty-Twenties

• Phoenix celebrates 50 years of innovative railway photography with the publication of '50 Years of Phoenix'.
  
  
• The Pandemic reduces passenger rail travel to the lowest level
  for generations.
  
  
• Rail Freight services continue to expand playing on their green credentials.
  
  
• HS2 breaks ground and construction begins.
  
  
• CrossRail, now the Elizabeth Line, is due to open.

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