U-Matic videotape of British Railways television commercials from 1985 to 1987

Compilation of British Railway television commercial. Reel 2, 1985-1987. Adverts made by various advertising agencies, including J. Walter Thompson Agency, GPCC Advertising, Hedger Mitchell Stark (Saatchi & Saatchi), McMillan and Hughes. Content: 1984 Gatwick Express, 1985 Three bears, 1985 Flying Scotsman vs Intercity, 1986 Songs, 1985 Murder on the motorway, 1986 Kids out Quids in, 1985 Museum ticket exhibition (National Railway Museum), 1986 French connection, 1985 Pilgrimage to Canterbury 12:15 (Windsor version), 1985 Plane to train, 1985 Pullman prawns, 1979 Hotel on the moves, 1985 On Leave (Sam goes see girlfriends), 1986 Train jam (Intercity 125), 1986 5.30am Alarm call, 1980s Scottish executive ticket, 1986 Superman (2 versions), 1985 Switch for Capitalcard, 1987 Intercity savers ticket, 1987 Renewal QE2 (train renewal). Total duration: 17 minutes.

This videotape along with others in the collection, form a representative sample of British Railways television advertising between the 1960s and mid-1990s. The different adverts feature the breadth of styles and scope of advertising companies used over the years. Some of the agencies represented are J. Walter Thompson Agency (now Wunderman Thompson), GPCC Advertising, Saatchi & Saatchi, Gold Greenless Trott, Abbott Meade Vickers, Allen, Brady & Marsh (ABM). Though, productions details have not been identified for all adverts. Some of British Railways adverts have had popular success and won awards, e.g. Relax, made by Saatchi & Saatchi 1988, promoting Intercity services, won 13 awards from various advertising competitions. The collection also includes different versions of same adverts: regional versions, short (10 seconds) and long (30-50 seconds) versions, seasonal versions.