Radio Times

Review by:

Emma Sturgess

As the West Coast franchise fracas continues to sting the interested parties, this is a reminder that rail travel has never been straightforward. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, British Rail was suffering from an image problem, as well as financial and industrial difficulties. The saviour was in the sweeping figure of a new high-speed train, the InterCity 125, which employed new technology and cracking speeds to provide passengers with faster, more comfortable travel.

Of course, 30 years on, it’s the late Jimmy Savile’s advert, announcing the “Aaaaaaage of the Train”, which sticks in the mind more than the impressive spec of the rolling stock.

About this programme

The story of the InterCity 125, a fleet of high-speed engines introduced by British Rail in 1976 in a bid to revive its commercial fortunes and make train travel more appealing to the public. With an advertising campaign fronted by Jimmy Savile and new boss Peter Parker in charge, the enterprise set out to modernise the industry - and proved to be a typically British success story.

Cast and crew

Crew

Executive Producer

Nicola Addyman

Executive Producer

Tony Parker

Producer

Richard Taylor

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