Happy days.  Whilst the wires were up at St Pancras, the local services were still in the hands of Class 127 diesel multiple units.  The days of the Class 45 'Peaks' on the Inter City services were rapidly ending - by this time most of the main services had swapped over to Class 254s.  And of course, nobody could have foreseen what St Pancras has become today!

A quick stroll over to Euston, a scene dominated by Class 86, 87 and 310. 

How its changed today. 

At that time even the empty coaching stock workings were interesting - check out Class 25/3 no. 25.283 at the buffers having worked in from Wembley.

From Euston I jumped on a northbound train to check out Rugby. As I remember, a first for me.

The feast of what has become heritage traction continued.  Class 45, 86 and 87 in quantity.  And on the unit front, a Class 304 and a succession of Class 310s.

Rugby station itself has changed radically.  Compare these pictures with those taken at Rugby in early 2006 in my album UK Railway Scene- 2006. 

Of the shots I took at Rugby that afternoon, my favourite is Class 86/3 no. 86.323 heading the 15.00 London Euston to Blackpool North service.

I just wish I'd known as much about photography then as I do now. So many of the pictures I can look at and I'd take very differently today.  Ho hum... 

Interestingly even the Kodak Ektachrome they were shot on hasn't stood the test of time well.  Ektachrome always had a slightly cool feel - but the original slides have turned decidedly chilly!

Enjoy the pictures at my album of UK Railway Scene - 1983.