During 1997 privatisation of BR train operations was completed, with passenger services split amongst 25 Train Operating Companies.

 Class 373 Eurostar at Waterloo Eurostar 373105 at the rear of the 06.58 to Brussels, at Waterloo International, on 15 March 1997. This train took me one stage on my train journey to Hong Kong, where I arrived 3½ weeks later.
Class 101 at Manchester Piccadilly The Class 101 first-generation diesel multiple units lasted far longer than anyone expected, but by 1997 the remaining units were concentrated in the Manchester and Glasgow areas. 101654 departs from Manchester Piccadilly as the 16.30 to Marple in July 1997, operated by North Western Trains.
Class 60 at Rugby 60018, belonging to freight operator English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS), heads a northbound stone train through Rugby station on 7 June 1997.
Class 90 at Leeds 90024 at the rear of the 17.40 GNER service to King's Cross, at Leeds on 10 August 1997. Normally such a train would be worked by a Class 91 locomotive, but sometimes Class 90s hired from EWS were substituted. The locomotive here is still in the BR Railfreight Distribution livery.
Class 87, Preston 87002 "Royal Sovereign" arriving at Preston on 12 August with the 16.35 from London Euston to Carlisle. The train is still in BR InterCity livery, although operated by Virgin Trains.

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