Southern Region Through the 1970s

Following the end of steam on the network, many stations were devoid of notebook holding, camera toting enthusiasts on the ends of busy station platforms. This did not mean, though, that there was nothing of interest happening. The 1970s saw the end of famous trains like the Brighton Belle and the green livery of the Southern changed to a BR corporate livery of first blue, and then blue/grey for coaching stock. Older pre-war coaching stock was being phased out with new open plan seating units being introduced. Industrial relations on the railways were not good, with lightning strikes regularly taking place. There were also a number of serious accidents across the region. Aided by a wealth of previously unpublished images, Michael Hymans documents this tumultuous decade in a nostalgic and evocative journey along the Southern Region through the 1970s, documenting the many changes along the way.