InterCity 125, the greatest train ever built

Now, for the younger readers, the InterCity 125 is the name of the diesel powered express trains with 2 Class 43 locomotives at either end and the 8/9 carriages with manual doors which you can only open from outside

These trains were built in the 70s and have proven themself in traffic, initially intended as a stop-gap alongside InterCity APT (Advanced Passenger Train), which ultimately failed miserably, they've been a sight on Britain's railway network since their introduction. They were named InterCity 125 as they were all part of British Rail's InterCity sector and their top service speed of 125MPH

8 of the Class 43 power cars were fitted with buffers when the InterCity 225 was introduced on the East Coast Main Line, 6 of these are with Grand Central, still with the buffers, and are the most unreliable of the power cars in service, but do retain their original engines whereas the majority now have a bigger, more modern engine, most engines ending up in the hands of the 125 Group

British Rail made a number of TV ads featuring the InterCity 125, I found some on YouTube and some are here for your enjoyment


This ad features several different class 43 power cars, one of which is "nicked" for speeding by a police livered Class 37, complete with blue light on roof and the horns sounded to imitate a police siren, British Rail sure knew how to make adverts, heh



The 2 "Relax" adverts, made around the time the InterCity 125s were carrying the Swallow livery, I distincly remember the first one from my childhood but not the second one


The InterCity 125 will always be, in my eyes, the best train that was ever built, it has stood the test of time, and will remain a firm favourite of mine :)