Britain: An official handbook > 1977

Development
Passenger Services
Freight
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS 309
craft Ltd. runs hovercraft services (see p. 317). Transportation Systems and
Market Research Ltd. provides consultancy services overseas on railway and
associated operations.
In recent years the most important developments have been the replacement
of steam by diesel and electric traction completed in 1968; the improvement
of inter-city passenger services with the emphasis on speed, reliability, com¬
fort and better train connections; and an increase in freight trainload traffic,
allowing higher speeds, and greater mechanisation in the carrying of coal,
other bulk commodities and containers. The standards of track and signalling
are being raised to allow faster running speeds and improved operating
efficiency.
The two main functions of the passenger network are the provision of the
high-speed inter-city network, linking the main centres of Great Britain,
and of commuter services in and around the large conurbations, especially
London and the South East. The board’s plans for inter-city services include
a programme to replace old passenger coaches by new air-conditioned stock.
Some 59 ‘high speed trains’ are on order; the prototype entered regular
passenger service in 1975 and the first of the remainder will begin carrying
passengers in the Western Region in October 1976. They will operate at a
sustained speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). Higher speeds will follow the intro¬
duction into service of the advanced passenger train (APT) capable of speeds
up to 155 mph (250 km/h). Development work, which has included the
construction of an experimental APT, has involved fundamental research
into the guidance and stability of railway vehicles which will enable sub¬
stantially higher speeds to be attained on existing track. Three prototype
electric APTs are being built and will enter service between London and
Glasgow in 1978, covering the 400-mile (644-kilometre) journey in four
hours. The electrification of this route was the largest capital investment
project ever undertaken by the British Railways Board and included station
reconstruction, bridgeworks, new colour-light signalling and new rolling
stock. Train speeds of 100 mph (161 km/h) are now common on most of
British Rail’s main lines.
Motorail services (carrying both passengers and their cars) have an annual
capacity of over 100,000 cars on 50 services.
The board’s proposals for commuter services include the development of
new multiple-unit trains to replace old stock, while several urban railway
projects are in progress (see p. 307).
The most important freight commodities handled in 1975 were coal and coke
(97 million tonnes) and iron and steel (26 million tonnes). In recent years
attention has been directed towards other traffic, especially petroleum
products, cars and motor components, refuse, roadstone and construction
materials, and containers.
The efficiency of freight operations is being improved as new types of
wagon are introduced with larger capacities and capable of higher speeds; a
network of regular high-speed freight services using these new wagons is
being established. Freight traffic is being concentrated at fewer and better
equipped and sited marshalling yards and terminals. The installation of a
computer-based total operations processing system, allowing continuous
monitoring of all consignments and freight train and wagon movements in
Great Britain, has reduced operating and maintenance costs by the more