West Coast Main Line Memories 1974 - 2007

This double album covers railway activity on the West Coast Main Line, and some of its connecting services over a period of more than 30 years. Disc 1 features the 1970’s and 80’s. Much of it was filmed at principal stations, and covers a wide variety of trains. Whilst electric locomotive haulage is much in evidence, many classes of diesel locos, DMU’s, EMU’s, and freight are covered, and even tube trains on the Bakerloo Line that paralleled the main line between Queen’s Park and Watford, using the DC tracks. Apart from stations on the main route, between Euston and Glasgow, such as Crewe, Preston, and Carlisle, visits are made to Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Chester, Liverpool, and Manchester Piccadilly. A major feature shows intense activity at Glasgow Central in 1988, including several classes of EMU and DMU in Strathclyde orange livery. We also see glimpses of the APT prototypes in action. Disc 2 continues further into the era of sectorisation and privatisation of British Rail during the 1990’s, including the Virgin and Silverlink franchises. The highlights of a cab ride from Euston to Stafford are included. Finally, bringing the story up to date, we see the entry into service of the first of the class 334 EMU’s in the Glasgow area, and the initial introduction of Pendolino’s and Desiro’s to the West Coast Route.