InterCity 1966 - 1996

InterCity was introduced by British Rail in 1966 as a brand-name for its long-haul express passenger services. In 1986 the British Railways Board divided its operations into a number of sectors; the sector responsible for long-distance express trains assumed the brand-name InterCity, although many services that were designated as such were assigned to other sectors. After the privatisation of British Rail, InterCity trains were operated by Anglia Railways (later 'one'), Great Western Trains (later First Great Western), Virgin Trains (West Coast and Cross Country franchises), Midland Mainline(later East Midlands Trains), Gatwick Express and GNER (later National Express East Coast). The overnight sleeper services between London and Scotland on the WCML were transferred to ScotRail (Caledonian Sleeper), whilst those operating to the West Country became the responsibility of Great Western (Night Riviera). // brand name 1966-1986: Inter-City; 1986-1996: InterCity; Divisions: East Coast: East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to the North East, Yorkshire and eastern Scotland; West Coast: West Coast Main Line from London Euston to West Midlands, North West and southern Scotland, including overnight sleeper services to Scotland; Midland: Midland Main Line from London St Pancras to East Midlands and parts of Yorkshire; Great Western: Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to West Country and South Wales, including overnight sleeper services to the West Country; Great Eastern: Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to East Anglia and Essex; Cross-Country: cities that use a combination of the main lines on the Cross-Country Route; Gatwick Express: Shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.