Principal Express Freight train services : British Railways, London Midland Region : booklet issued October 1959
British Railways, who were heavily dependent on freight transport at the time, made some efforts to promote their services in the face of the long battle in the face of road freight transport - that of course was for some time being fought for by other divisions of the British Transport Commission that BR was part of from 1948; namely British Road Services. BR issued various publications, often on a Regional basis, detailing the express freight train services available, that included 'first and last times' and delivery times for major destinations, along with details of the various types of services such as containerisation, and of goods yeards, depots and senior managers.
This example was issued by the London Midland Region and indeed is in their Regional colours. The 1959 edition unlike earlier versions no longer features a steam locomotive and various open freight wagons. Now, as Modernisation got underway a diesel locomotive is in charge and the train consists of more up-to-date continuously fitted brake wagons that enabled higher speeds for express fright trains. BR was also 'concentrating' freight on fewer depots and yards, pushing the use of road transport for the 'last' or 'first' miles and using containers rather than loose loads. The cover illustration is also an example of a commissioned work in scraperboard by an artist much used by British Railways, A N Wolstenholme.
Principal Express Freight train services : British Railways, London Midland Region : booklet issued October 1959
British Railways, who were heavily dependent on freight transport at the time, made some efforts to promote their services in the face of the long battle in the face of road freight transport - that of course was for some time being fought for by other divisions of the British Transport Commission that BR was part of from 1948; namely British Road Services. BR issued various publications, often on a Regional basis, detailing the express freight train services available, that included 'first and last times' and delivery times for major destinations, along with details of the various types of services such as containerisation, and of goods yeards, depots and senior managers.
This example was issued by the London Midland Region and indeed is in their Regional colours. The 1959 edition unlike earlier versions no longer features a steam locomotive and various open freight wagons. Now, as Modernisation got underway a diesel locomotive is in charge and the train consists of more up-to-date continuously fitted brake wagons that enabled higher speeds for express fright trains. BR was also 'concentrating' freight on fewer depots and yards, pushing the use of road transport for the 'last' or 'first' miles and using containers rather than loose loads. The cover illustration is also an example of a commissioned work in scraperboard by an artist much used by British Railways, A N Wolstenholme.