LIVEWIRE
LIVEWIRE is our bi-annual magazine. Featuring a wide range of articles from prominent railway industry authors, including Chris Cheek MBE, Fraser Pithie, John Heaton FCILT and Roger Ford, LIVEWIRE aims to gradually tell the InterCity 225 story while providing the latest news, views and operational updates. Members of the 225GROUP get two copies free of charge as part of their annual subscription. Back issues are available to buy from the shop.
The inaugural issue, published in August 2021. Chris Cheek MBE reviews the market performance of the East Coast route during the years after electrification and launch of the InterCity 225. London North Eastern Railway (LNER) Train Manager Graeme Wright tells us about his career on the railway and affection for the InterCity 225s, while Paul Howkins reflects on time spent watching the trains at Essendine between Grantham and Peterborough.
The second issue, published in February 2022. Fraser Pithie looks back at the conception of the InterCity 225 and how the Class 91 locomotive was designed to power it. LNER Fleet Planning Performance Manager Sam Dilworth talks to us about his railway career, his connections with the InterCity 225 and what he would like the 225 Group to achieve, while Carl Looker shares some memories of the trains and tells us why they’re special to him.
The third issue, published in August 2022. In the first of a series of articles about the creators of the InterCity 225, Roger Ford reviews the role of GEC Chief Mechanical Engineer John Dowling. Fraser Pithie looks at the construction and testing of the Class 91 locomotives, while Richard Clarke takes a trip along the North Wales coast on the Transport for Wales ‘premier’ service to find out how the Mark 4 rolling stock improved the travelling environment for customers.
The fourth issue, published in February 2023. Fraser Pithie charts the background, development and technical specifications of the Mark 4 rolling stock. Chris Curtis looks back on the two important and memorable interactions that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had with the InterCity 225, while Jacob Baldwin shares some memories of the trains and considers why they have enduring appeal amongst both railway professionals and enthusiasts.
The fifth issue, published in August 2023, containing a special feature about the life of 91131 after it became the first Class 91 locomotive to enter preservation at the Museum of Scottish Railways (MoSR) at Bo’ness. In his second article about the creators of the InterCity 225, Roger Ford looks at the contribution of GEC-TPL Class 91 Project Manager Mike Newman, while LNER Engineering Director John Doughty talks to us about his time in charge of the fleet.
The sixth issue, published in February 2024. Fraser Pithie speaks to LNER Fleet Engineer Nick Dudley to get his reflections on more than 35 years maintaining the Class 91 locomotives and Mark 4 rolling stock. Tom Roffe recalls how he produced a wooden replica of the nameplates carried by 91119 “Bounds Green InterCity Depot 1977-2017”, while Patrick Jenkins shares some memories of the InterCity 225s and tells us why they’re special to him.
The seventh issue, published in August 2024. Des Bradley looks at ‘how the west was won’ in a comprehensive review of InterCity 225 operation between Edinburgh and Glasgow. In his third article about the creators of the InterCity 225, Roger Ford considers the roles of Project Director David Rollin and Project Engineer Andrew Higton, while James Parker shares some memories from working with the Class 91 locomotives and Mark 4 sets at Bounds Green depot.
The eighth issue, published in February 2025. Christopher Garnett OBE, former Chief Executive of Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), recalls some of his many stories involving InterCity 225s and explains why he thinks they deserve a place in railway history. Andy Ashton takes us behind the scenes of a project using 91117 “Project Electra” to test new overhead line equipment, while Gareth Griffiths tells us why the InterCity 225s are special to him.
The ninth issue, published in August 2025, featuring a timeline of key events during the life of the InterCity 225, produced as a contribution to the Railway 200 celebrations. In his final article about the creators of the InterCity 225, Roger Ford looks at the contribution of the Director of GEC Research Limited Dr Michael Reece, while Andy Ashton provides further insight into the use of 91117 “Project Electra” to test and gather data about new overhead line equipment.
The tenth issue, published in February 2026. In the first of a series of articles about InterCity 225 performance, John Heaton FCILT recalls a high-speed dash from London King’s Cross to York aboard the “Scottish Pullman” in September 1997. Chris Gee looks back on a charity photoshoot held at Neville Hill TrainCare Centre in Leeds to celebrate the Class 91 locomotives based there, while Martyn Cummins tells us why the InterCity 225s are special to him.
The 11th issue, published in August 2026. In the second article about InterCity 225 performance, Steve Philpott takes us back to the first electric “Grantham Executive” in March 1989. Ed Doubtfire tells us how he built a model of an InterCity 225 using Lego, while Great Western Railway Senior Area Operations Manager Andrew Green talks to us about his railway career and shares memories of working on InterCity 225s with GNER and National Express East Coast.
