A lost burger bar chain that was located within busy train stations called Liverpool home back in the 1980s.
To one generation, the name Casey Jones will stir memories of the classic 1950s American TV show following title character Casey and his adventures as a railroad engineer. But in the 1980s, the name was known in the UK for something different entirely.
During the decade, British Rail's fast food outlets called Casey Jones Burgers started to pop up in train stations across the country, from London Euston, Waterloo and Kings Cross to Glasgow and of course, Liverpool Lime Street Station. Ran by Travellers Fare, who provided catering services on the British Rail network, the now largely forgotten fast-food chain served customers different types of burgers, as well as fries and drinks to enjoy on their journeys.
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At a time when Wimpy burgers were well-known on the high street and McDonald's was starting to become popular on this side of the pond, the Casey Jones burger bar red, white and yellow was becoming a known fixture for train commuters. In Liverpool Lime Street, the Casey Jones branch opened in 1984, the same time the White Star bar and lounge located above it began to welcome customers.
Ahead of the Liverpool Lime Street Casey Jones opening, an ad in the Liverpool ECHO said the company offered a comprehensive training programme, meals on duty and free uniform, as well as free and reduced travel on British rail and London underground and £1.87 per hour.
In October 1984, the ECHO reported how the hamburger bar bosses got a "sizzling response" to the Liverpool jobs call, with 500 applicants for just 30 posts at the Casey Jones fast-food outlet at Lime Street station.
The next month, the branch opened as part of a new catering complex in the station. The ECHO reported: "Run by Travellers Fare, British Rail’s catering arm, the complex consists of a Casey Jones fast-food restaurant - with seats for 64 customers and a full takeaway service, and upstairs, the White Star Bar and Coffee Lounge.
"The Casey Jones restaurant, which is open from 7am to 10pm daily, is the 12th such fast-food outlet to spring up at main line stations. As well as the very popular Casey Jones range of burgers, it offers traditional snacks such as filled rolls and tea."
Frank Thomas, 61, from South Liverpool, remembers visiting the Liverpool Lime Street branch on numerous occasions. He said: "As I recall, it was your standard burger establishment.
"I used to go the odd Saturday with my ex partner when we were minding her then ten-year-old cousin. As for the place itself, it was just fairly functional I remember.
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"To an old dude like me, nothing special, but to a youngster, it possibly opened up a world of adventure and was the last word in fine dining. I seem to recall possibly one of those fairground rides in the form of a railway engine, that gave rides for 20p.
"As for the food, it was pretty much plain burger bar fayre, milkshakes, etc. As for popularity, it was there, for a quick bite and to provide a service for the weary traveller."
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Diners and commuters could enjoy a number of Casey Jones burgers in its time. In 1993, the Sunday Mirror tested out five burger competitors to see "how they are trying to keep customers’ taste buds tingling" - including Casey Jones.
It reported the prices of burgers and drinks at the King Cross station train in London, which we can assume were similar to that of Liverpool with the business being a chain. In June 1993, customers at that station could get a basic burger, the Great Casey, for £1.80, a Great Casey with cheese for £1.99 or. Might Casey for £2.95.
A regular Coke was 85p, with a large being 95p and you could also order a regular side of fires for 95p and a large for £1.09. The review said: "You can taste the bun, cheese and flavour - enhanced tomato sauce - which may be just as well because the meat left something to be desired."
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Today, train stations have numerous fast food or well-known brand outlets to choose from. Mr McDonalds and Starbucks to Upper Crust and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, it's not unusual to see passengers eating or drinking on their journeys.
But in the late 1970s and 1980s, new food outlets started to pop up more at train stations, much to some people's displeasure. In April 1983, the Daily Mirror reported how trains could have a "no eating" compartment if a "new campaign by regular travellers gets it way."
It reads: "The new Casey Jones burger bars now each sell an average 1,500 takeaway burgers and 800 portions of chips to travellers every day. But the growing trend is infuriating diehard rail users who are fed up with the smell of half-eaten burgers wafting through carriages."
At the time, Colin Webb, a book publisher who commuted to London each day from Kenley in Surrey, said: "As elbow to elbow, they tuck into their greasy Casey Jones’ specials, the stultifying odour of onions, French fires and other noxious edibles manage to overpower even the strongest pipe tobacco."
By the late 1980s, Casey Jones burgers became part of Compass Catering. But in the early 1990s, customers saw the brand begin to disappear from train stations across the country entirely.
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In November 1993, it was widely reported how Burger King restaurants were to appear in 17 British Rail stations, including Liverpool Lime Street, following a catering deal between Compass and Grand Metropolitan . At the time, Compass supplied refreshments on stations through its Casey Jones fast-food restaurants, but the deal resulted in Burger King - owned by Grand Met - replacing the Casey Jones brand.
The brand to one generation is now nothing other than a distant memory. But it is also remembered by many for being the first fast-food place they ate at, or a reminder of fond childhood journeys on the train.
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