40 YEARS AGO ...

JULY 1980

■ LOCO-HAULED HST RAKE: A

set of Western Region k.3 coaches sidetracked because of the delayed delivery of HST power cars was made available for revenue-earning service by locomotive haulage instead. This was achieved by conversion at Swindon Works of a spare k.1 generator vehicle, belonging to BR's Research & Development Division (Derby), to provide power for air-conditioning and catering facilities on the train. At the other end of the set, couplings were matched for locomotive operation through an adapted k.2 BSO coach.

■MASSIVE FARES INCREASE:

Forthe second time that year, British Railways increased passenger train fares by about 20 per cent. The increase was to take effect from November 30 and followed an earlier 20 per cent rise in January.