50 Years of Phoenix

50 YEARS OF PHOENIX R.P.C.

The 1970's

  • 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'.
A Pair of Class 25’s pass Ferryhill with an Edinburgh to Aberdeen service, by Les Nixon.

The 1980'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.

37262 crosses Invershin viaduct with morning Wick Inverness service 1 September 1987, by Les Nixon.

The 1990's

  • 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.
Refreshment at Reading 1 August 1998, by Geoff Gillham.

The 2000's

  • 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.

Front Ends, by Ian Cowley.

The 2010's

  • 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.

After Sunset, by Martin Fordham.

The 2020's

  • 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, finally opens.

HST Trent, by Andrew Shenton.

You can order your copy of “50 Years of Phoenix” today direct from the publishers, Mortons, by clicking on the cover.

Phoenix R.p.c.

Creative Railway Photography