Mayflower (passenger train)
The Mayflower is a named passenger train service operated by Great Western Railway in England from London Paddington to Plymouth.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train |
| First service | 17 June 1957 |
| Current operator(s) | Great Western Railway |
| Former operator(s) | Western Region of British Railways |
| Route | |
| Start | London Paddington |
| End | Plymouth |
| Distance travelled | 246 miles |
| Average journey time | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 1C78 / 1A90 |
| Line(s) used | Great Western Reading-Taunton Bristol-Exeter Exeter-Plymouth |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | 800, 802 |
History
The Mayflower was introduced by the Western Region of British Railways on 5 June 1957, departing Plymouth at 08:30 for London Paddington, returning at 17:30.[1]
The Mayflower working was normally booked to a Plymouth Laira King class locomotive although the less powerful Castle class would have regularly deputised. Within a few years The Mayflower was turned over to diesel operation by Class 42 and Class 52 classes.
It was withdrawn on 12 June 1965, before the name was reintroduced from 5 May 1970 to 30 April 1971 on the 07:30 service from Paddington and 16:30 return to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the sailing of its namesake.[1][2][3][4]
It operated again from 1983 until 1985 with High Speed Trains. First Great Western reintroduced it in 1998. As at July 2019, the name was carried by the 11:06 from Paddington and 15:00 return operated by Class 800 and Class 802s.[1]
References
- The Encyclopedia of Titled Trains The Railway Magazine issue 1422 September 2019 pages 62/63
- BR Western Region to launch Mayflower Railway Gazette International 16 January 1970 page 16
- Mayflower launched The Railway Magazine issue 831 July 1970 page 407
- Named British Express Trains The Railway Magazine issue 930 October 1978 page 478
External links
