In Pictures: The golden age of railways as UK marks anniversary of end of steam

Events are marking 50 years since the end of mainline steam rail services.

Published Aug 11, 2018

Last updated Aug 11, 2018

The Great Central Railway heritage line in Loughborough is marking the 50th anniversary of British Rail’s last mainline, steam-hauled passenger service with an End of Steam gala.

The event will feature the 70013 Oliver Cromwell, which was used during the charter return trip from Liverpool to Carlisle via Manchester 50 years ago.

Here we take a look through the archives at images from the golden age of steam railways.

The Flying Scotsman, drawn by a Great Northern Railway Stirling 8-footer, pictured in 1888 at Holloway Station between King’s Cross and Finsbury Park (PA)

Oil-fired steam locomotive — An oil-fired steam locomotive on the London and North Western Railway, leaving Euston Station in 1920 (PA)

The Bournemouth Belle leaves Waterloo Station in October 1946 (PA)

Golden Arrow Service — Luxury and comfort in the ‘Hercules’ first class parlour of the all-Pullman Golden Arrow train in 1951 (PA)

The Eastern Region’s express The Elizabethan leaves King’s Cross Station in 1954. It travelled the 393 miles to Edinburgh in six-and-a-half hours – the fastest ever non-stop journey between London and Edinburgh, with average speed of 60 miles per hour (PA)

The Caledonian leaves Euston Station on its inaugural run to Glasgow in June 1957 (PA)

The Flying Scotsman leaves King’s Cross Station on her final run to Doncaster in January 1963 (PA)

Steam locomotives — Great Western Railway steam locomotive Castle, class 4-6-0 No 7029, pulls out of Paddington Station at the start of the Farewell to Steam run, in November 1965 (PA)