In 1960, Britain’s railway network was still vast, connecting cities, towns, and rural villages with a complex web of routes. The ABC Railway Guide was the essential tool for navigating this system, a pocket-sized book filled with timetables, station details, and route maps. With diesel slowly replacing steam and the infamous Beeching Cuts yet to reshape the network, rail travel was still a way of life for commuters, holidaymakers, and business travellers alike.
But could you still travel Britain today using the April 1960 ABC Railway Guide? And what has changed in the decades since? Let’s step back in time and try to recreate a 1960s railway journey.
📖 What Was the ABC Railway Guide?
Before the internet, before mobile apps, and even before many homes had a telephone, railway guides were the key to planning any journey. The ABC Railway Guide was published monthly and provided:
- Timetables for every station in Britain, from the busiest London termini to the smallest country halts.
- Detailed route maps, showing all possible connections.
- Fares and ticketing information for different classes of travel.
- Lists of railway hotels, refreshment rooms, and lost luggage policies.
This little book was essential for travellers, especially those navigating long-distance journeys with multiple changes.
🚆 Planning a Journey with the 1960 ABC Guide
To get a real sense of what it was like to use the ABC Railway Guide, let’s attempt a 1960-style itinerary. Suppose you were travelling from London to Penzance, a popular holiday route.
Step 1: Finding the Route
📍 London Paddington → Penzance (The Cornish Riviera Express)
- In 1960, this route was one of Britain’s premier express services.
- The journey was pulled by a steam locomotive, usually a GWR Castle or King Class engine.
- Travel time: 6 hours 40 minutes (compared to 5 hours today).
The ABC Railway Guide would have listed:
- The departure time (typically 10:30 AM from Paddington).
- Stopping points, including Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro.
- The option of a dining car or first-class compartments for added comfort.
🔍 How does it compare today?
- The same route still exists, but it’s now electric and diesel-powered.
- No need to check a paper timetable—train times are available online.
- Dining cars are a rarity, replaced by trolley services.
🏙️ Stopping at Lost Stations
One of the biggest differences between 1960 rail travel and today is the sheer number of stations that no longer exist.
Using the ABC Railway Guide, we find that in 1960, the London to Penzance route included stops like:
- 🚉 Brent Station (Devon) – Closed in 1964 after the Beeching cuts.
- 🚉 Gwinear Road Station (Cornwall) – Once an important junction, now gone.
- 🚉 Chacewater Station – Once linked to a branch line to Newquay.
If you were travelling in 1960, you had far more choices of where to stop along the way. Many rural stations that existed back then have vanished, victims of the rail reforms of the 1960s.
🕰️ How Long Did Journeys Take in 1960?
One of the biggest surprises when comparing the 1960 ABC Railway Guide to modern train times is that not all journeys were slower!
Here are a few comparisons:
| Route | 1960 Travel Time | 2025 Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| London → Manchester | 3 hrs 50 min | 2 hrs 10 min |
| London → Edinburgh | 6 hrs 30 min | 4 hrs 20 min |
| Birmingham → Bristol | 1 hr 45 min | 1 hr 20 min |
| London → Brighton | 1 hr 10 min | 55 min |
Some journeys have become significantly faster due to electrification and modern high-speed trains. However, others, especially rural routes, take longer now due to fewer direct services and station closures.
🎟️ Buying a Ticket in 1960
Booking a train in 1960 was a completely different experience from today:
- Tickets were bought at the station from a ticket office or a machine.
- Passengers could buy single, return, or season tickets, often printed on thick cardboard and stamped at the barrier.
- First-class travel was more common, offering separate compartments with armchairs and personal service.
💰 How much did it cost?
In 1960, fares were reasonable but still a major expense for many. Here’s how prices compared (adjusted for inflation):
| Route | 1960 Ticket Price (£) | 2025 Equivalent (£) | Modern Price (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → Manchester | £1 15s (second class) | ~£38 | £50+ (Advance) |
| London → Brighton | 12s 6d | ~£14 | £10-£25 (Advance) |
| London → Edinburgh | £3 10s (first class) | ~£75 | £80-£150 (First) |
Despite inflation, some modern fares are actually cheaper in real terms, thanks to budget advance tickets and railcards. However, walk-up fares today can be far higher than in 1960.
🚉 What Would a 1960 Railway Journey Feel Like?
Travelling with the ABC Railway Guide in hand, your journey in 1960 would have been a more immersive and social experience than today:
- The sights: Steam engines, porters carrying luggage, and station clocks ticking.
- The sounds: The chuffing of steam locomotives, the crackle of station announcements, and the chatter of fellow passengers.
- The smells: A mix of coal smoke, railway grease, and hot tea from the dining car.
Although modern train travel is quieter, smoother, and faster, it lacks some of the character and adventure that made 1960s railways so unique.
🔚 Final Thoughts: Could You Travel Britain Today Using the 1960 ABC Guide?
While some key routes remain unchanged, the railway network of 1960 was far more extensive, especially in rural areas. If you were to attempt a 1960s journey today, you’d find that:
✅ Major express routes still exist, often faster and more efficient.
❌ Many smaller stations and branch lines have disappeared.
✅ Certain heritage railways (like the Severn Valley Railway) offer an authentic taste of 1960s rail travel.
❌ Dining cars and luxurious first-class compartments are mostly gone.
So, could you travel using a 1960 ABC Railway Guide today? Yes—but it wouldn’t be the same experience. Many stations, routes, and services have vanished, but the romance of railway travel still lingers in the few remaining steam trains and classic stations.
Would you prefer a fast, modern train journey or the charm of 1960s rail travel? Let us know in the comments! 🚂
📌 Want to Know More?
🔎 Explore a real 1960 ABC Railway Guide in archives and railway museums.
🚆 Plan a heritage railway journey for an authentic steam train experience.
🕰️ Compare old vs. modern timetables using British Rail archives.
