Network SouthEast anniversary: Tales from the launchpad

Behind every railway event there is a PR team praying nothing goes wrong on the big day. With the recent 30th anniversary celebration of British Rail’s most successful sector, Network SouthEast, Dennis Lovett explains the lead up to that launch back in 1986.

Network SouthEast anniversary: Tales from the launchpad
High-profile launch events for the media, opinion formers and customers have long been part of the railway scene.

Indeed, they can be traced back to the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, although in the latter case it was unfortunate that one of the opinion formers, the MP for Liverpool, William Huskisson, was killed during the celebrations by a passing train.

Article continues below…
Advert

Monthly Subscription: Enjoy more Railway Magazine reading each month with free delivery to you door, and access to over 100 years in the archive, all for just £5.35 per month.
Click here to subscribe & save

While today’s high-profile events occur regularly and are reported on the pages of The Railway Magazine, June 10, 1986 revealed a new railway for London in the form of Network SouthEast, its striking red, white & blue livery and the rolling out of red lamp posts, seating, waste bins and digital station clocks becoming legendary almost overnight.

Read more in July’s edition of The RM


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


Article Tags:

About the Author