50+ Years Since Steam Quiz
1 To mark the end of main line steam, the Fifteen Guinea Special main line passenger train took place on what date? 2 And what station did the Fifteen Guinea Special start from? 3 One short narrow-gauge railway continued to be steam-operated on its sale by British Rail in 1989. Name that railway. 4 In 1976, this businessman was appointed chairman of the British Railways Board (remaining in the position until 1983). Who is he? 5 In May 1981, a new magazine was launched. You now know it as RAIL, but what was its original title?
6 In 1983, with echoes of the Beeching report of 20 years earlier, a report was compiled that called for more rail closures. Who was the author of the 1983 report? 7 Built between 1980 and 1987 as a short-term solution to a rolling stock shortage, but still in operation today despite being unloved by many. What type of train is this? 8 Which West Midlands town lost its direct train service to London in May 1992? 9 In what month of what year did Eurostar passenger services begin operating through the Channel Tunnel?
10 Which London depot was used between 1994 and 2007 for Eurostar’s Class 373 fleet, when the operator ran trains from London Waterloo? 11 In what year was RAIL’s National Rail Awards first held? 12 Which train manufacturer built the Class 390 Pendolinos?
13 On April 29 2004, the 0935 CrossCountry Reading-Manchester Piccadilly train, operated by a Class 221 Super Voyager, was the first example of what sort of train to carry passengers? 14 See picture (left): Since the end of steam, two women have held the post of Transport Secretary - one Labour (2007- 08) and one Conservative (2011-12). Who were they? (Correct at time of going to press).
15 At Oxshott ( Surrey) in 2010, what sort of road vehicle fell off the bridge over the railway and landed on the carriages of a train below? 16 See picture(above): this prominent RMT union man died in 2014. Who was he? 17 Which manufacturer built the new Class 700 trains for Thameslink? 18 In which UK city is the tram-train trial currently in operation? 19 The industry is eagerly awaiting the results of the Williams Rail Review. Of which company was independent chairman Keith Williams formerly chief executive? 20 Bringing things full circle, in 2017 which newbuild became the first steam locomotive to officially reach 100mph in more than 50 years on British tracks?