Britain decided in the fifties to follow the US example of dieselisation, rather than the continental route to electrification. But by the sixties, electric locomotives were clearly superior in speed and power, and economics, too. And it was the basis for further developments elsewhere (which also benefitted diesel-electrics).
Do you know how and who decided that, and whether Mr. Beeching had a role in that, too? *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Things were already changing by the beginning of the 60s, but there was certainly a momentum that carried through to the 80s. keep to the Fen Causeway
...indeed, which was in effect what made the future elsewhere -- also because once electrification was decided, modern electronic signalling and train safety systems could be done in the same go. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.