Timeline Date Period

Middleton Railway becomes first standard gauge line with services operated entirely by unpaid volunteers. First passenger train runs. 1 Sept - Volunteers operate first  freight trains. linking
British Railways  with local firms.

Eastern Region of British Railways takes delivery of D9001, the first production "Deltic" class, 3,300Hp diesel locomotive.

Last 'Cornishman' express ran over the Stratford-upon-Avon to Cheltenham route: this and other express trains were rerouted via the Birmingham - Gloucester line.

1963: Train drives itself. The first automatic train on the London underground could be hurtling into stations in three weeks, the government has revealed. The trains, which operate without a driver, are currently undergoing a series of trials commissioned by the Ministry of Transport before passengers are allowed on boa, but the public has the chance to glimpse the trains today, which have cost £60,000 to test, as they are demonstrated in South Ealing, West London, by the London Transport Board.

Beeching Report published recealing huge cuts to the rail network in the UK.

Green light for Channel Tunnel. The British and French Governments have announced their
commitment to build a tunnel under the English Channel. Both countries now have the capital and technical skills to bring the project - first mooted 162 years ago - to life but their official statements do not give a definite timetable. British Transport Minister Ernest Marples told the House of Commons: "It remains to be decided when and how best the expense involved can be sustained." The scheme - first proposed by Napoleon as an invasion strategy - has the keen support of French President Charles de Gaulle.

British Railways adopts a new corporate identity including the name British Rail and the 'double arrow' symbol.

7029 Clun Castle heads final steam train on WR.

At least 40 rail passengers have died and 80 more have been wounded after a commuter train derailed in south-east London. The 19:43 express train was travelling from Hastings to Charing Cross when at 21:16 it crashed off the rails between Hither Green and Grove Park stations near the Southern Region Continental goods depot. It happened just over a mile from the scene of the Lewisham train crash in 1957 in which 90 people were killed and 175 were injured.

The Hixon rail crash occurs when a low-loader road transporter is struck by an express train on an automatic halfbarrier level crossing at Hixon, Staffordshire, England. 11 people are killed. This has repercussions on the arrangements for automating level crossings on British Rail.

Steam locomotive power was withdrawn from British Rail.

Last trains over the Waverley Route from Edinburgh in Scotland to Carlisle.