British Rail in Berkshire in the 1970s
When: Thursday 15 October 2026, 14:30 - 15:45
Where: Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square
British Rail in the 1970s was a paradox on wheels — bold innovation running alongside baffling neglect. This was the decade of the High Speed Train blazing through a network still dotted with tired 1950s stock, peeling paint, and stations that looked half‑abandoned. Yet elsewhere, commuter lines thrived, platforms gleamed, and modernisation marched on — sometimes sensitively, sometimes with the demolition of beloved Victorian buildings in favour of prefab “progress”. And of course, the catering: a legend of its own, wrapped in foil and folklore.
In this talk, railway historian Dr Richard Marks takes you on a lively tour through a decade of extremes, eccentricities, and enduring legacies — the highs, lows, and lunchboxes of a remarkable era in Britain’s railway history.
About the venue and how to book
Please note the Centre’s face-to-face talks are now being held at a new venue – Reading’s Abbey Baptist Church. The full address of the church is given to the right. The venue has disabled access and a disabled toilet. The talk begins at the slightly later time than previously of 2.30pm.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available (included in the price). Pre-booking is preferred, but you can pay on the door, if there are spaces available.
Image above: Barry Lewis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
Location image: Abbey Church – Gazamp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)
To book, scroll down.
Comments
Post a Comment