London to Glasgow west coast train speed record attempt narrowly fails
The train arrived at Glasgow Central 21 seconds behind the current record.
Last updated 17th Jun 2021
An attempt to break the 36-year-old record for the fastest train journey between London and Glasgow has failed. It was made by an Avanti West Coast train making a special non-run between England and Scotland.
The train arrived at Glasgow Central 21 seconds behind the record of three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds set by British Rail in December 1984, according to rail expert Mark Smith, who was onboard.
Mr Smith, founder of Seat61.com, wrote on Twitter that a temporary speed limit on the track in Carstairs, South Lanarkshire, "cost us 90 seconds''.
He added: "It was a known risk but they thought we could still do it. But it's still the fastest train I've ever taken from London to Scotland.''
Before the departure of the train from London Euston at 10.36am, Avanti West Coast said it was attempting to set a new record to highlight "the ease of travelling between the home nations''.
The firm collaborated with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train's path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line.
The existing record for the quickest train journey between the two cities is three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds.
That was set by British Rail in December 1984 using a prototype Advanced Passenger Train.
The quickest modern regular services on the route take around four-and-a-half hours.
Regular train tickets will not be valid for the service, which Euston departs at 10.36am.
Travel between Scotland and England
The private operator had collaborated with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train's path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line and says it will highlight “The ease of travelling between the home nations''.
The attempt at setting a new record was made by a nine-carriage Pendolino train named Royal Scot.
It will run at 125mph - the maximum permitted speed on Britain's mainline railway - for as much of the 401-mile route as possible.
Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said the event will be a “brilliant collaboration across the railway industry''.
A greener railway
He added: “It shows how the clean, green railway of today can cement economic growth, jobs, housing and social cohesion through better connectivity across the United Kingdom.''
Sir Peter has been asked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to examine how UK transport links can be improved, and will publish his final report this summer.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of Avanti West Coast's parent company First Rail, claimed the record attempt “shows how effectively rail can deliver cross-border connectivity''.
The Railway Performance Society will be the official timekeeper for the record attempt.
The train will carry rail industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine who have made a charitable donation.
The money raised will go towards Avanti West Coast's charity partner Action for Children and the Railway Benefit Fund, which support people involved in the railway and their families.