The following is a chronology that has been compiled  by Colin Fraser-Davies and made available to Model Railway Express so that it could be available for everyone to use.

Information is provided in good faith and where possible taken from contemporary sources (magazines and books). No responsibity is taken for errors and omissions! Where sources disagree an entry has been made for both years and cross-referenced.

Copyright (C) C R Fraser-Davies 2003

Additions by Clive Greedus and Brian Macdermott.

1947

* British Railways formed (31st DEC), under the control of the Railway Executive of the British Transport         Commission.

 1948

* First experimental liveries tested (JAN) (for locos - Malachite green, Apple green, light blue and lined black.   For coaches - chocolate and cream or 'plum and spilt milk)

* First BR Lion and Wheel totem introduced (end of year)

* Double-oval (hot-dog) totem introduced for stations, etc.

* Locomotive testing station at Rugby opened (OCT)

* Locomotive interchange trials (APR-SEP)

* Some named trains introduced/reintroduced (Flying Scotsman Royal Scot, Atlantic Coast Express, South Yorkshireman, Tees-Tyne Pullman, Capitals Ltd, Master Cutler, Merseyside express, Comet, Queen of Scots, Thanet Belle, Devon Belle)

* Revised locomotive liveries (end of Year) (dark blue, GW green and lined black)

* Oil-burning locomotives converted back to coal (end of year).  Others were stored or scrapped.

* Corris Railway closed (AUG)

* Last Coronation loco destreamlined (No.6243)

* Last Prince of Wales withdrawn

* SR electric loco 20003 introduced

1949

* Final standard loco liveries adopted (GW green, lined black, unlined black)

* Standard coach liveries adopted (carmine and cream ('Blood and Custard') for corridor stock, carmine for vans and non-corridor stock.  Malachite green for multiple-unit stock)

* New named trains: (St Mungo, Bon Accord, Granite City, Fife Coast Express, Irishman)

* Hawksworth and Bulleid retire

* Diesels 10000 and 10001 enter regular service (JUN)

* Bullied Tavern Cars introduced on Southern Region (JUN)

* Brown-Boveri gas turbine 18000 delivered

* Last Claughton withdrawn

* Last NER Atlantic withdrawn

* AM6 electric units introduced on LMR

* Liverpool Street-Shenfield (1500V DC) electrification opened

1950

* Red Dragon express introduced

* Peppercorn resigns

* Brown-Boveri gas-turbine 18000 enters service on WR

* Ex SR diesel 10201 enters service

* Test runs of Bulleid 'Leader' (check - 49?)

* Prototype Mark I coach (OCT)

* Prototype 800HP diesel No.10800 on test

* Fell diesel-mechanical loco on test

* Last Aberdare 2-6-0 withdrawn

* Prototype EM1 (Class 76) Bo-Bo electric loco ('Tommy') returned from Holland

* Early forward facing lion decals came into use and remained until  to late 1957 when transfers ran out.

1951

* Trials of double-deck coaches on Southern Region start

* Merchant Venturer and Bristolian expresses inaugurated on WR

* Kentish Belle introduced on SR

* Ivatt retires

* First BR standard locos enter service (Class 5 4-6-0, Class 4 4-6-0, 2-6-4T, Britannia)

* Metrovick gas-turbine No 18100 enters service

* Southern diesel 10202 enters services

* MkI coaches enter service

* Kelvedon-Tollesbury line closed (OCT)

* First BR standard wagon introduced (16T mineral?)

* Last Bulldog 4-4-0 withdrawn

* Last Ivatt Atlantic withdrawn

* 4-EPB units introduced on SR

1952

* BR standard AWS on test

* Harrow and Wealdstone disaster

* Last L&Y Hughes 4-6-0 withdrawn

* BR standard Clan Pacific, 2MT and 3MT 2-6-2T enter service

* Drewry 0-6-0 diesel mechanical shunters (later Classes 03 and 04) introduced.

* Ex GWR railcar on trial in Lincolnshire

1953

* Railway Executive abolished, BTC takes over running of BR

* Man of Kent and Pembroke Coast Express inaugurated

* First BR std 24.5 ton mineral wagons enter service

* Last GW Saint withdrawn

* BR standard 2MT and 4MT 2-6-0 locos introduced

* BR standard 0-6-0 diesel shunter (Class 08) introduced

* Lancaster/Morecombe/Heysham AC electrification

* Canterbury-Whitstable line closed (March 1st)

* Problems with axles on SR Pacifics leading to loan of V2s and Britannias

1954

* Southern diesel 10203 enters service

* Manchester/Sheffield/Wath DC electrification completed

* BR standard 8P Pacific 'Duke of Gloucester' enters service

* GN Atlantic running in GN livery

* Last LNER D3 4-4-0 withdrawn

* BR standard 3MT 2-6-0 and 9F 2-10-0 enter service

* EM2 (Class 77) Co-Co electric locos enter service

* Manchester-Glossop (Class 504) electric units introduced

* First BR DMUs enter service

* Railway Clearing House closed

1955

* BR Modernisation Plan published

* Prototype Deltic on trial on LMR (from OCT)

* South Wales Pullman service starts (JUN)

* BR purchases the Pullman Car Company

* Green livery extended to County and Hall locos on WR

* First WR King fitted with double chimney

* King loco recorded at 102mph

* Passenger services over the ex-GN Queensbury lines withdrawn

* LNER 2-8-8-2 U1 Beyer-Garratt withdrawn

* New Tyneside electric units, replacing Gresley 1938 stock

* Standard CCT van introduced

* All prototype diesels (10000, 10001, 10201, 10202, 10203) moved to the LMR between April and  July

* King bogie problems results in loan of LMR Pacifics on WR

1956

* First rebuilt Merchant Navy Pacific enters service

* First regional coach liveries - chocolate and cream on WR, green on SR and maroon on other regions.

* Maroon loco livery for express locos introduced on LMR

* Capitals United Express service starts on WR

* Third class abolished in favour of second class

* First meeting of BR design panel

* Lickey banker Big Bertha withdrawn

* Last LNWR G1 0-8-0 withdrawn

* AM7 electric units introduced

* Kent Coast electrics introduced on SR

* Standard GUV introduced

* First car-carrying passenger train (Kings X - Perth)

* 25/6.25KV AC chosen as future electrification system

* Liverpool Overhead Railway closed

* First use of disc brakes on BR stock

1957

* Royal Duchy, Mayflower and Cathedrals Express started on WR

* Brush Type 2 (later Class 31) enters service

* English Electric Type 1 (later Class 20) enters service)

* On WR green livery applied to most passenger (including tank) locos

* Lines closed - Abergavenny-Merthyr, Bridgend-Nantymoel.

* Revised 'lion and wheel' totem (lion holding wheel) and coach roundel introduced (MAR)

* Lettering style for goods stock with numbers, etc boxed in white introduced

* Ripple Lane Yard opened

* Mk1 Sleeping cars introduced

* Last GW Star 4-6-0 withdrawn

* BTH Type 1 (D8200 Class) introduced

* SR DEMUs introduced

* SR 2-HAP units introduced

* LMR Oerlikon EMUs replaced by Class 501 units

* First Bulleid Light Pacific rebuilds enter service (MAY)

* Lewisham crash (Dec 4th)

1958

* Metrovick gas-turbine loco 18100 withdrawn, converted to AC electric for crew training

* English Electric Type 4 (later Class 40) enters service

* Metrovick Co-Bos enter service

* BR Type 2 (later Class 24) enters service

* Class 71 DC electrics enter service

* North British Type 2 (later Classes 21/29) enters service

* NBL Type 1 (D8400) diesel electrics enter service

* BRCW Type 2 (later Class 26/27) enters service

* NBL A1A-A1A Warships enter service

* WR B-B Warships (later Classes 42/43) enter service

* Last LMR 2-6-6-2 Garratt withdrawn

* Last ex-LBSC 4-4-2 withdrawn - last Atlantic in service (MAY)

* Last pre-grouping Welsh 0-6-2T withdrawn

* Cravens diesel parcels units introduced

* Gloucester RCW single unit DMUs introduced

* Experimental 4-wheel railbuses of various types introduced.

* Lines closed  - Exeter-Heathfield, Totnes-Ashburton (passenger).

1959

* Prototype Deltic transferred to ER

* BR Type 2 (later Class 25) enters service

* BR Type 4 (later Class 45/46) enters service

* First production AC electric E3001 (later Class 81) introduced

* North British Type 2 diesel hydraulics (later Class 22) introduced

* North British Type 2 diesel electrics (later Class 29) introduced

* Condor express containerised freight service started (ended some time after 1965)

* Midland and Great Northern system closed

* Midland compound No 1000 running in MR livery

* Last ex-LNWR 0-6-2 coal tank withdrawn

* Last ex-LTSR 0-6-2T withdrawn

* Baby Deltics (EE Type 1) introduced

* Gloucester diesel parcels units introduced

* Manchester-Bury 1500V third-rail EMUs (Class 504) introduced

* AM2 electric units introduced on LMR

* Tierwag double-deck car carrier introduced

* Colchester/Clacton electrification

* Right facing lion totem for offside use to be discontinued late in the year but some transfers remained in use  until stocks ran out.

* Rebuilding of the Crosti 9Fs into conventional boilers commenced.

* Lines Closed - Newton Abbot-Moretonhampstead.

1960

* Manchester/Crewe AC electrification inaugurated

* Brown-Boveri gas turbine 18000 withdrawn

* Diesel Pullman sets (Blue Pullmans) enter service

* BRCW Type 3 (later Class 33) enters service

* English Elctric Type 3 (later Class 37) enters service

* Last slip-coach working on BR (at Bicester) (SEP)

* Margam Yard opened

* Last steam loco built for BR (92220 'Evening Star')

* Last through express trains over the GC system

* Caledonian single No 123 running in CR livery

* Last ex-CR Class 60 4-6-0 withdrawn

* Last B17 4-6-0 withdrawn

* LMR electric locos AL2 (Class 82), AL3 (Class 83), AL4 (Class 84) introduced

* AM1-4, AM3, AM5 electric units introduced

* 4-EPB electric units introduced on SR

* Metro-Cammel loco-hauled Pullmans introduced

* Yellow and red stripes above coach windows introduced (SR)

* Glasgow Blue Trains (Class 303) introduced

* Pressed Steel single unit DMUs introduced

* Liverpool Street lines electrified

* 'Clan Line' reaches 104mph

* Middleton and Bluebell Railways opened.

1961

* Prototype gas turbine GT3 on test (GC line)

* Prototype Roadrailer introduced

* Beyer-Peacock Hymek Type 3 diesel hydraulics (later Class 35) enter service

* BR Type 4 diesel-hydraulic Westerns (later Class 52) enter service

* Diesel prototype 'Falcon' on test

* Production deltics (later Class 55) enter service on ER

* Midland and South Western Junction line closed to through traffic

* Last ex-LTSR 4-4-2Ts withdrawn

* Last ex-Metropolitan Railway electric locos withdrawn

* Last Metropolitan steam passenger workings

* English Electric Type 3 (Class 37) introduced

* AL6 (Class 86) electric locos introduced

* AM8 electric units introduced

* TCV double-deck car carriers introduced on ER

* Speedfreight service introduced on LMR (but see 1962)

* Liverpool/Crewe electrification

* Tilbury line electrification

* Bradshaw ceases publication

* Workman's tickets last issued

* First automatic half-barrier level crossings

* Workmen's tickets abolished

* 24 hour clock in public timetables first used at York in September.

1962

* Derailments of SWB stock encountered. Palvans withdrawn.

* Roadrailer trials

* Diesel prototype 'Lion' on test

* Clayton Type 1 (later Class 17) enters service

* Diesel prototype 'Falcon' on test

* Brush Type 4 (later Class 47) enters service

* Electro-diesel (later Class 73) enters service

* WR chocolate and cream coach livery abandoned

* LMR introduces Speedfreight from London to Manchester (CHECK)

* Through trains diverted off Somerset and Dorset line

* Last Plymouth-Paddington Ocean Special

* Passenger services in Eastern and Western Valleys of South Wales withdrawn (from Newport)

* Class 07 shunters introduced

* Stainmore line closed

* Last Schools, Lord Nelson (OCT) and King Arthur (NOV) locos withdrawn

* Last GW King withdrawn

* Last N2 0-6-2T withdrawn

* SR electro-diesels (E8500 series) introduced

* SR Oxted diesel-electric units introduced

* Kent coast electrification completed (JUNE)

* AM9 (Clacton Express) electric units introduced - NB maroon livery!

* Train classification system changed from letters to numbers

* Small yellow warning panels introduced

* Speedfreight and Condor equipped with bogie flat wagons

1963

* SR lines West of Wilton South signal box (near Salisbury) transferred to WR (JAN)

* Cambrian lines transferred to LMR

* British Railways Board superceded the British Transport Commission

* Diesel prototype DP2 on test

* Publication of the Beeching Report

* Decision taken to paint fish vans ice blue instead of white (FEB)

* Prototype Deltic moved to Science Museum

* BR road vehicle livery changed to yellow with hexagonal arrow logo

* LMR takes responsibility for WR lines in Birmingham area

* Kingsmoor Yard opened

* Tyne Yard opened

* Thornaby (Tees) Yard opened

* South Tyneside electrification abandoned (JAN)

* Speed limit of 50 mph placed on SWB 4wheel stock (APR)

* Great Train Robbery

* 'Flying Scotsman' preserved

1964

* BR adopted 24 hour clock

* XP64 prototype train on trial (MAY)

* Last build of Mk1 coaches

* First use of blue/grey livery

* Red and cream coach livery becomes extinct

* Cartic car transporter introduced

* Surbiton-Okehampton Car Carrier withdrawn

* Express trains discontinued on WR - Royal Duchy, Red Dragon, Capitals United express, Inter-city, Cathedrals Express, Mayflower and Bristolian

* Atlantic Coast Express withdrawn on SR

* Golden Hind express introduced on WR

* Class 14 (D95XX) 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic introduced

* Last Duchess 4-6-2 withdrawn

* 4-CIG electric units introduced

* British Roadrailer Services formed

* 'Tadpole' units created on SR

* Diagonal cabside stripes for steam locos prohibited from running under overhead wires introduced (SEP)

1965

* Speed limit for SWB 4-wheel stock reduced to 40mph

* Crewe/Euston electrification

* Freightliners introduced (London-Glasgow)

* Class 86 electric loco introduced

* Prototype loco 10800 modified by Brush and tested on GC line

* Title 'British Rail' adopted

* Corporate image adopted (Corporate Identity Programme)

* Sealink name first used

* Mk2 coaches introduced

* First MGR service with HAA hoppers - to West Burton P/S

* Last Autotrain service on BR (Yeovil Town-Yeovil Junction) ended

* Report 'Trunk Route Rationalisation' (also known as 'Beeching Part 2') published

* Tinsley Yard opened

* Last Hall, Grange, Manor and Castle 4-6-0s withdrawn

* Last Thompson A2 4-6-2 withdrawn

* Last A3 4-6-2 withdrawn

* Last V2 2-6-2 withdrawn

* AL6 (Class 86) electric locos introduced

* Princes St Station, Edinburgh, closed

* Air brake and ETH standardised for future construction

1966

* Crumlin viaduct (highest in UK) demolished

* Electrification of IoW lines

* Last steam working on WR

* Cheltenham St. James and Malvern Road closed

* Somerset and Dorset Line closed (MAR)

* Bescot new yard opened

* Metro-Cammell Pullman cars repainted in reversed blue/grey

* Most of GC line closed (except Rugby-Nottingham)

* Last Peppercorn A2 4-6-2 withdrawn

* Last A4 4-6-2 withdrawn

* Last N and U Class 2-6-0s withdrawn (JUN)

* Last Crab 2-6-0 withdrawn

* Last K1 2-6-0 withdrawn

* Last Q1 0-6-0 withdrawn (JAN)

* Last 56XX 0-6-2T withdrawn

* Last 57XX 0-6-0PT withdrawn

* Last Royal Scot 4-6-0 withdrawn

* AM10 electric units introduced

* Bournemouth electric units introduced on SR

* British Rail Hovercraft Ltd formed

* 'BRUTE' handling equipment introduced

1967

* Merger of NER and ER (JAN)

* Tartan Arrow parcels trains start (London-Glasgow)

* Waterloo-Exeter line singled

* Passenger service withdrawn on Brechin branch

* NBL A1A-A1A warships transferred to S. Wales, then withdrawn

* Ex Midland Pullman sets converted to M/U and transferred to WR

* China clay slurry trains run from Cornwall to Bowaters factory

* Last Jubilee 4-6-0 withdrawn (45562)

* Last Bulleid 4-6-2s withdrawn (JUL)

* Last B1 4-6-0 withdrawn

* Last BR std 4MT 2-6-4T withdrawn

* 4-VEP units introduced on SR

* Mark IIa coaches introduced

* Completion of Bournemouth electrification (JUL)

* Ryde - Shanklin electrification on IOW

* Hither Green crash

* Thirsk crash - DP2 destroyed (JULY)

* Last steam working on SR, ER and Scot R

1968

* End of steam working on BR(LMR)

* Use of D prefix on Diesel locos abandoned

* Last Class 29 loco withdrawn (AUG)

* BR relieved of 'Common Carrier' status

* Diesel prototype 'Kestrel' on test

* Last black five 4-6-0 withdrawn

* Last Britannia 4-6-2 withdrawn

* Last 8F 2-8-0 withdrawn

* Blue-spot fish vans refurbished as SPV parcels vans

* WR chocolate and cream coach livery becomes extinct

* Mk2B coaches introduced

* Use of brake vans on fitted trains discontinued

* Ex SR electric locos 20001/2/3 withdrawn (OCT, DEC)

* First loco rescued from Barry scrapyard

* Hixon level-crossing crash

1969

* Minehead line closed

* Ilfracombe line closed

* Waverley route closed

* Class 14 (D95XX) 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulics withdrawn

* Final section of GC line (Rugby - Nottingham) closed

* Train classifications changed to include Freightliners (MAY)

* Mk2C coaches introduced

* BR ban on steam locos enforced (until 1971)

1970

* British Rail Engineering Ltd, formed

* Britannia tubular bridge (Anglesey - Mainland) damaged by fire

* Classes 26 & 27 concentrated on ScR

* Mayflower express re-introduced on WR

* LMR Diesel Pullmans transferred to WR (CHECK - see 1967!)

* Passenger service over Woodhead route withdrawn (JAN).

* EM2 (Class 77) locos withdrawn from service, sold to Holland.

1971

* TOPS and associated loco and stock renumbering introduced

* ScR introduces push-pull working between Edinburgh and Glasgow using two Class 27s

* Lineside postal apparatus last used

* Horse boxes removed from service

* MSJA line electrification converted from 1500V DC to 25KV AC

* Mk2D air-conditioned coaches entered service

* BR lifts ban on steam locos

* Last London Underground steam locos withdrawn

* 'Kestrel' sold to Russia

* 4DD Double-deck EMUs withdrawn

1972

* Locos started to carry TOPS numbering (JAN)

* Passenger service withdrawn, Bury - Rawtenstall

* Trials of gas-turbine APT-E set start

* Bristol Parkway station opened (first 'Parkway')

* Bristolian express re-introduced on WR (until HST introduced)

* Last B-B Warships and Class 22 diesel-hydraulics withdrawn

* Basford Hall Yard closed (MAY)

* Brighton Belle Pullman EMUs withdrawn (APR)

* Last 4COR EMU sets withdrawn (SEP)

* Last Golden Arrow train

* Birmingham Snow Hill closed (MAR)

1973

* Blue Pullman sets withdrawn

* Class 87 introduced

* Use of WR ATC discontinued

* Prototype HST reaches 141mph

* 'Flying Scotsman' returns to UK from America

1974

* Electrification of WCML Weaver Junction/Glasgow opened

* Class 50s transferred to WR (MAY)

* White + blue stripe livery for refurbished DMUs introduced

* Stockton & Darlington 150

1975

* Last Hymek Type 3 diesel hydraulic withdrawn

* Prototype HST on test on WR

* New British speed record of 151mph set by APT-E

* Gloucester Eastgate closed

* Cornishman and Devonian expresses discontinued

* Last milk train, St Erth-Kensington

* Liverpool Road Station Manchester (world's oldest) closed

* Opening of NRM

* Full implementation of TOPS

1976

* Production HSTs enter service on WR

* Class 56 loco introduced

* Class 71 locos withdrawn

* Mark III loco-hauled coaches enter service on WCML

* Use of 4-character headcodes abandoned and existing displays set to '0000' (JAN)

* Moorgate/Welwyn electrification

* Class 313 EMU introduced

* Birmingham International opened

1977

* BR stopped carrying the old small containers

* Last Western Type 4 diesel hydraulic withdrawn (FEB)

* Last non-corridor passenger coaches withdrawn

* Special Parcels Vans (SPVs) withdrawn (but see 1981)

* Class 07 shunters withdrawn

* HSTs enter service on ECML

* Honeybourne line closed

* MkIII royal train vehicles built

* Kings Cross/Royston electrification

* Last Ladies Only compartments

1978

* Some suburban stock repainted in blue/grey

* Large Logo blue livery introduced

* White/blue stripe livery for refurbished DMUs dropped

* APT-E retired

* BR re-established controlling interest in Freightliners Ltd

* Liverpool inner-city loop line built

* HSTs introduced on ECML (but see 1977)

* GN Suburban electrification

1979

* Class 508 EMU introduced

* APT-P reaches 163mph

* Penmanshiel tunnel collapse

* Centenary of catering vehicles

1980

* Large Logo livery adopted for refurbished Class 50s

* ScR starts push-pull working with Class 47s and DVTs on Edinburgh/Glasgow route. Class 27 push-pull services withdrawn

* Last Class 24 withdrawn

* Last Class 44 peak withdrawn

* LEV-1 experimental 4-wheel railbus on test

* Night Ferry train withdrawn

* Rocket 150 celebrations

* Closure of Barmouth bridge

1981

* Electric APT train (APT-P) in service on WCML (Dec 7-21).  Returned briefly in 1984

* Class 140 railbus introduced

* BR ends parcels collection and delivery (C & D) service

* Last SPV parcels vans removed from service

* Closure of Woodhead route (JULY)

1982

* Deltics withdrawn

* Class 58 introduced

* Railfreight Red Stripe livery adopted for locos

* Railfreight red and grey livery for stock adopted

* Mark III sleeping cars introduced

* Door-to-door parcels service closed down, many older parcels vans withdrawn

* Yellow and grey livery adopted for engineer's stock

* Searail livery used on stock of Glasgow-Stranraer boat trains

* March-Spalding line closed

* Milton Keynes Central opened

* Venice-Simplon Orient Express inaugurated.

1983

* Bedford-St Pancras electrification completed

* Class 83 (84?) locos withdrawn (check)

* Executive Intercity livery adopted

* Freight traffic over Settle & Carlisle line banned

* Opening of Selby deviation on ECML (OCT)

* 4-SUB EMUs withdrawn

* Cornish Railways created (SEPT)

1984

* Policy to replace DMUs announced

* Nuclear flask demo crash

* Speedlink established (MAY)

* Last unbraked wagons withdrawn from traffic

* Scotrail livery introduced

* Summit Tunnel tanker fire

* Polmont crash

* APT-P used in frequent test runs.

* Gatwick Express initiated

* Class 150 sprinter introduced

1985

* Last vacuum-braked wagons withdrawn from traffic

* Second class redesignated Standard class (MAY)

* GW150 stock in chocolate and cream entered service

* West Highland green and cream stock entered service

* Closure of Swindon Works announced

* ScotRail title adopted

1986

* Parcels and Postal stock livery becomes red

* Blue CCT's remaining in traffic given a red stripe

* Trans-Pennine blue and white livery introduced

* NSE livery (light blue) introduced (JUN)

* Charter stock painted in Intercity livery, but with white roofs

* Glasgow-Stranraer Searail livery discontinued

* APT used for Class 91 tests (June-Dec)

* APT abandoned - scrapped (JUNE)

* Work starts on Channel Tunnel

* Yeoman Class 59s introduced

* Tiger Rail Trailer-Train (roadrailer) on trial

* Swindon works closed

* 4 EM2 electric locos returned from Holland

* Broad Street station closed

1987

* Severn Tunnel Junction Yard closed (SEP)

* Last ER double-deck covered car carrier (TCV) withdrawn

* HST reaches 148mph - world diesel record

* Docklands Light Railway opens

* Birmingham Snow Hill reopened

* Class 89 introduced

* Kings Cross underground fire

* Swallow Intercity introduced

* Railfreight two-tone grey livery adopted

* British Steel livery first used on 37501 'Teeside Steelmaster'

* Oxford-Bicester line re-opened to passengers

* Start of electrified services to Norwich

1988

* Last CCTs withdrawn

* NSE livery changed to darker shade of blue

* GW150 stock disbanded

* Thameslink introduced

* Classes 90, 91 introduced

* Class 422 units reach 109mph - third rail record

* Anglia Region formed

* Last newspaper train runs (JULY)

* Clapham collision

* Regional Railways first livery introduced, based on Provincial livery

* Start of electrified services to Leeds

1989

* BREL workshops privatised

* Vale of Rheidol line sold

* Parcels sector red livery introduced - but see 1986!

* Departmental grey livery introduced for locos

* Waterloo to Weymouth electrification completed

* Last Peaks Classes 45/46 withdrawn

* Class 158 DMU introduced

* Class 151 DMUs (Metro-Camm) withdrawn

* Last milk tanks (modern 4-wheel type) scrapped

1990

* Last steam loco (the 213th) leaves Barry scrapyard

* 'Duke of Gloucester' restoration completed

* Last BR Edmundson ticket issued

* Channel Tunnel breakthrough

* Regional Railways triple blue stripe livery introduced for DMUs (DEC)

* Engineer's Dutch grey + yellow livery introduced (JUN)

* Railfreight split into trainload and Distribution divisions

* Last use of hump shunting - Scunthorpe West (MAY)

* Class 60s enter traffic

* Parcels stock - yellow lines added to plain red livery

* 08 shunter painted red as 'Thomas'

1991

* Trans-Pennine provincial liveried stock withdrawn

* Rail Express Systems (RES) formed, red livery with blue patches introduced

* Speedlink business closed (July)

* ECML electrification completed

* Stansted airport line opened

* Class 165 introduced on NSE

* ARC Class 59 locos introduced

* Class 153 DMU (conversion of Class 155) introduced

* Class 465 Networker EMUs introduced.

* Regional Railways triple blue stripe livery introduced for locos (JUN)

* Class 117 DMU repainted in brown and cream for GW150

1992

* Last Class 50 withdrawn

* Class 89 loco 'Avocet' withdrawn

* Massive pit closures affect coal traffic

* Kings Lynn line electrified

* North Pole depot opened

* Three Class 90s painted in European colours

* Charterail operations abandoned (AUG)

* Abolition of the regions

* RR trains in GMT grey/red/black livery introduced

1993

* Manchester-Bury converted to Metrolink operation

* Passing of the Railways Privatisation Bill

* Intercity red stripe colour changed to claret (darker shade)

* First Eurostar through Channel Tunnel for testing

* Infrastructure grey, red + yellow livery introduced

* Technical services (research) grey and red livery introduced

* BRT (Telecoms) livery introduced

* Waterman Railways formed

* Railfreight trainload split into three geographical areas

* Mendip Rail fromed

1994

* Channel Tunnel opened to traffic

* Eurostar trains enter service (NOV)

* Class 92 electric locos enter service - first use of EPS livery

* Privatisation of British Railways (APR)

* Steam running at 75mph approved

* National Power Class 59 locos introduced (FEB)

* Waterman Railways black livery introduced

* Load/Haul black and orange livery introduced (JUL)

* Transrail grey + T livery introduced (JUL)

* Merseyrail yellow and white livery introduced

* Ex GW gas turbine loco 18000 returned from Austria

* Sheffield supertram services start

* Railtrack formed

1995

* British Rail Maintenance Ltd (BRML) privatised

* RES bought by English, Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS)

* Mainline blue livery introduced (OCT)

* Freightliner grey livery introduced

* RES Royal Train Class 47 loco livery

* New speed record for British passenger train (154mph) 91031

* MEA box wagons introduced

* National Power Class 59s and bogie coal wagons in service

* Railtrack brown and white livery adopted

1996

* EWS buys the three main freight companies (Loadhaul, Transrail, Mainline)

* South West Trains franchise starts (FEB)

* Great Western Trains franchise starts (FEB)

* HST appears in GW trains grey/green (SEP)

* GNER franchise starts (APR)

* Channel Tunnel fire (NOV)

1997

* Last BR train ran (???)

* BR privatisation completed

* EWS buys Railfreight Distribution?

* EWS orders Class 66 locos

* EWS red livery and logo introduced

* Paddington (Southall) Collision (No 1!)

* Virgin franchise starts (JAN)

1998

* First piggyback services introduced

* Mendip Rail formed - Yeoman and ARC liveries revised

* Freightliner green livery introduced (JUL)

* First Class 66 locos delivered for EWS (AUG)

* Heathrow Express starts

* Tinsley yard closed (MAR)

* EWS takes over National Power rail business

1999

* Freightliner purchases Class 66 locos

* Ladbroke Grove crash (Paddington No 2)

* Class 67 introduced

2000

* Class 460 Gatwick Express units introduced (JULY)

* Virgin Voyager (Class 220) DMUs introduced (DEC)

* Hatfield crash (OCT) - speed restrictions enforced widely

* Freightliner locos start hauling non-container trains

2001

* Railtrack green/blue livery introduced (FEB)

* Pendolino (Class 390) introduced

* Great Heck crash - caused by a road vehicle (FEB)

* Strategic Rail authoprity formed (FEB)

* Stage 2 of channel tunnel rail link started

* Railtrack confiscated (OCT)

* Eurotunnel takes delivery of loco 9701 (9510hp!)

2002

* EWS granted a royal warrant for rail travel (JAN)

* Potters Bar Crash (???)

* Railtrack liquidated (AUG)

* Network Rail takes over tracks from Railtrack (OCT)

* Railtrack delisted from Stock Exchange (OCT)