Motorail

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Motorail was the brand name for British Rail's long-distance services that carried passengers' cars. The business operated as part of the InterCity sector. It had originated from the 1955 introduction of The Car-Sleeper Limited between London and Perth. Due to the enginemen's strike that summer establishing the precise start date is uncertain but it was during June. The Motorail brand was introduced in 1966 with BR press releases and the opening of the London Kensington Olympia terminal.

Motorail services operated from London to a number of towns and cities including, Penzance, Plymouth, Fishguard, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness and Fort William. A short lived service from London to Glasgow was introduced in the early 1990s. A variety of rolling stock, both open and enclosed, was used. Many routes were operated with overnight sleeper services.

Usage on many routes had declined by the early 1990s. The services operated at a significant financial loss, so most routes were discontinued at the time of rail privatisation. The last surviving route was operated by First Great Western from London Paddington to Penzance as part of their Night Riviera overnight sleeper service. It closed at the end of Summer 2005