Named Trains In The UK May 2023

[Condor7]

NAMED TRAINS IN THE UK MAY 2023


In 2020 prior to the Covid 19 out break there were 31 named or titled trains in the UK, the Great Western Railway by far had the most with 20. During the Covid 19 period timetables were effectively ripped up or of no use. It was only as 2022 progressed that a certain amount of normalcy returned although the after effects are still having some effect on reliable timetables.

The main difference now the May 2023 timetable are out is GWR’s decision to do away with naming expresses, according to a WhatsApp message sent to me by them in late February regarding named trains, which read in part “we no longer refer to our trains like this”. Certainly from the May 2023 timetable they have stood by this with no named trains listed, however in a surprise announcement on the 5th May to celebrate the Kings Coronation on the 6th they announce that the 08:48 London Paddington to Swansea would be called The Flying Carolean. Locomotive 802103 was also fitted with a transfer logo. Following further communication with GWR they have confirmed that permeance of this name should appear in print later this year, along with a review of reinstating all the previous named trains removed over the Covid period.

As the practice with some train operating companies is to name a train but not include that name in any timetables and in most cases not even mention it in load speaker announcements or the arrival/departure boards and indeed not even making mention to it on the actual train, compiling a definitive list of modern day named trains is very difficult, however below is the list which to the best of my knowledge is accurate.

Currently the only train operating company publishing their named trains in the timetable is East Midlands Railway.

EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

The Sheffield Continental. 1C05. 04:48 Sheffield to St.Pancras 07:09. (One way only)
The Master Cutler. 1C20. 07:33 Sheffield to St.Pancras 09:37.
1F60. 17:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 19:16.
The South Yorkshireman. 1F65. 18:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 20:02. (One way only)
The Robin Hood. 1B19. 06:40 Lincoln to St.Pancras 09:27.
1D63 17:35 St.Pancras to Nottingham 19:13.

LNER.

Northern Lights. 1W11. 10:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen 17:07.
1E15. 07:55 Aberdeen to Kings Cross 16:46.
The Carolean Express 1S13. Kings Cross to Edinburgh 15:21. (One way only)
Highland Chieftain. 1W16. 12:00 Kings Cross to Inverness 20:05.
1E13. 07:55 Inverness to Kings Cross 08:59.
West Riding Limited 1A07. 06:30 Bradford Forster Sq. to Kings Cross (One way only)
The Flying Scotsman 1E01. 05:40 Edinburgh to Kings Cross 09:40 (One way only)

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

The Gerald of Wales (Y Gerallt Gymro) 1V91 05:33 Holyhead to Cardiff 09:59
1W96 17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead 21:37

GWR

The Flying Carolean 1B07 Paddington to Swansea 11:31 (One Way Only)

As discussed in similar threads I have only Included trains that run just once a day there (and in most cases) back again. Although there are no hard and fast rules I am regarding other named services as brand names, for instance The Night Caledonian.

My information came from the train operating company themselves and a little help from some associated with The Railway Magazine, and of course some on this forum, for which I am very grateful.

 

[Towers]

Unsure who ‘One Wales’ are? Do you mean TfW (Transport for Wales), who operate the welsh mainline rail network?

It’s a nice nod to history, but realistically any interest value died with the paper window labels on HSTs and LHCS really. Otherwise it’s just another few words on a Digital Doris announcement.

 

[Condor7]

Yes sorry old habits I will change it

 

[Man_with_beard]

Why has the WCML lost all its named trains?

Manchester Pullman
Midland Scot
Merseyside Pullman
Lancashire Pullman
Royal Scot
Welsh Dragon
Clansman

Just to name a few.

 

[jfollows]

Why has the WCML lost all its named trains?

In my view, which I don't assume everyone will agree with, a named train has to have something else which differentiates itself from the run of the mill trains.
So you could call the 07:00 up service from Manchester to London "The Manchester Pullman" if you wanted to, because it's the only service of the day that stops only at Stockport, but it doesn't run any more now so the rest of the services are pretty much all the same.
The Royal Scot used to be a fast service, only calling at Preston in 1974. But again, now, there's no equivalent.
Just slapping a name on a normal train doesn't seem very interesting to me.

 

[Condor7]

I believe it was Virgin when they took over the WCML that they did away with named trains, mainly for the reason jfellows describes. The introduction of all expresses basically running the same with near identical stops and timings, they saw no need for giving any one particular train a name. A practice I don’t necessarily disagree with, I would not like to see named trains disappear for good but would like them to be restricted to trains where the name has a purpose.

 

[43055]

NAMED TRAINS IN THE UK MAY 2023


In 2020 prior to the Covid 19 out break there were 31 named or titled trains in the UK, the Great Western Railway by far had the most with 20. During the Covid 19 period timetables were effectively ripped up or of no use. It was only as 2022 progressed that a certain amount of normalcy returned although the after effects are still having some effect on reliable timetables.

The main difference now the May 2023 timetable are out is GWR’s decision to do away with naming expresses, according to a WhatsApp message sent to me by them in late February regarding named trains, which read in part “we no longer refer to our trains like this”. Certainly from the May 2023 timetable they have stood by this with no named trains listed, however in a surprise announcement on the 5th May to celebrate the Kings Coronation on the 6th they announce that the 08:48 London Paddington to Swansea would be called The Flying Carolean. Locomotive 802103 was also fitted with a transfer logo. Following further communication with GWR they have confirmed that permeance of this name should appear in print later this year, along with a review of reinstating all the previous named trains removed over the Covid period.

As the practice with some train operating companies is to name a train but not include that name in any timetables and in most cases not even mention it in load speaker announcements or the arrival/departure boards and indeed not even making mention to it on the actual train, compiling a definitive list of modern day named trains is very difficult, however below is the list which to the best of my knowledge is accurate.

Currently the only train operating company publishing their named trains in the timetable is East Midlands Railway.

EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

The Sheffield Continental. 1C05. 04:48 Sheffield to St.Pancras 07:09. (One way only)
The Master Cutler. 1C20. 07:33 Sheffield to St.Pancras 09:37.
1F60. 17:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 19:16.
The South Yorkshireman. 1F65. 18:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 20:02. (One way only)
The Robin Hood. 1B19. 06:40 Lincoln to St.Pancras 09:27.
1D63 17:35 St.Pancras to Nottingham 19:13.

LNER.

Northern Lights. 1W11. 10:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen 17:07.
1E15. 07:55 Aberdeen to Kings Cross 16:46.
The Carolean Express 1S13. Kings Cross to Edinburgh 15:21. (One way only)
Highland Chieftain. 1W16. 12:00 Kings Cross to Inverness 20:05.
1E13. 07:55 Inverness to Kings Cross 08:59.
West Riding Limited 1A07. 06:30 Bradford Forster Sq. to Kings Cross (One way only)
The Flying Scotsman 1E01. 05:40 Edinburgh to Kings Cross 09:40 (One way only)

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

The Gerald of Wales (Y Gerallt Gymro) 1V91 05:33 Holyhead to Cardiff 09:59
1W96 17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead 21:37

GWR

The Flying Carolean 1B07 Paddington to Swansea 11:31 (One Way Only)

As discussed in similar threads I have only Included trains that run just once a day there (and in most cases) back again. Although there are no hard and fast rules I am regarding other named services as brand names, for instance The Night Caledonian.

My information came from the train operating company themselves and a little help from some associated with The Railway Magazine, and of course some on this forum, for which I am very grateful.

Has the TfW one always been called that as I don't think I have ever seen those services listed with a name.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Has the TfW one always been called that as I don't think I have ever seen those services listed with a name.

It's always been called it but never publicised all that much. Its subsidised by the Welsh government hence the name.

 

[Jan Mayen]

I'm surprised The Flying Scotsman is one way only. I thought the 1000 departure from Kings Cross was tradionally the Northbound departure. When did that change?

 

[jfollows]

I'm surprised The Flying Scotsman is one way only. I thought the 1000 departure from Kings Cross was tradionally the Northbound departure. When did that change?

It changed quite a while ago, but I can't tell you when, sorry.
In 1974 the 10:00 Flying Scotsman called only at Newcastle and arrived in Edinburgh 15:30
Now the only service which only calls at Newcastle is 1E01 as mentioned above, 05:40-09:40. It's the only service "worthy" of the name really, because for many years now the 10:00 down departure calls at all sorts of extra places.

 

[hexagon789]

I'm surprised The Flying Scotsman is one way only. I thought the 1000 departure from Kings Cross was tradionally the Northbound departure. When did that change?

2011 'Eureka' timetable saw the northbound 1000 de-named and the 'new' 4-hour Southbound limited stop service introduced.

Southbound though hadn't been 1000 (or near) off Edinburgh for some years (early or mid-2000s) previously though, having been switched to an afternoon semi-fast from Glasgow that was just about one of the slowest Edinburgh to London workings.

 

[eli 801/2]

I always enjoy and find named trains intresting and as a country I feel we need more of them. It is so sad to see these start to fade out and disapear from timetables. It is a nice surprise which I have had happen to me once when they are not timetabled but you still get on a named train. I do not understand why GWR have stopped this at all recenytly and I find it a real shame.

 

[zwk500]

As discussed in similar threads I have only Included trains that run just once a day there (and in most cases) back again. Although there are no hard and fast rules I am regarding other named services as brand names, for instance The Night Caledonian.

The Brand name is Caledonian Sleeper. They refer to their services on their website as the 'Lowlander Route' (including a reference to 'the northbound lowlander' and 'Highlander Route' but don't use some of the other names like Deerstalker for Fort William.
GWR run the Night Riviera, which is as close to a named train as any other, having 1 up and 1 down working daily (nightly), and serving 1 specific route.

 

[Condor7]

The Brand name is Caledonian Sleeper. They refer to their services on their website as the 'Lowlander Route' (including a reference to 'the northbound lowlander' and 'Highlander Route' but don't use some of the other names like Deerstalker for Fort William.
GWR run the Night Riviera, which is as close to a named train as any other, having 1 up and 1 down working daily (nightly), and serving 1 specific route.

You are correct the brand name is Caledonian Sleeper but as you say they refer to it as a route.
The Night Riviera on the other hand illustrates the problems with providing a definitive list. Prior to Covid it was a named train but afterwards they confirmed to me they were no longer naming any trains, although the branding remained. Now they are saying they will be reviewing their decision later this year. So is it a named train or a brand? As you say it is just one train there and back and I am inclined to agree it should be a named train.

 

[zwk500]

You are correct the brand name is Caledonian Sleeper but as you say they refer to it as a route.

Caledonian sleeper is the Brand of the group of services, they individually name each train the Lowlander and the Highlander. A bit like GTR brand one set of services 'Southern' and then within that call one route the 'East Coastway' and the other the 'West Coastway'. The difference is that there's 1 up and 1 down Lowlander and 1 up and 1 down Highlander per day (night).

The Night Riviera on the other hand illustrates the problems with providing a definitive list. Prior to Covid it was a named train but afterwards they confirmed to me they were no longer naming any trains, although the branding remained. Now they are saying they will be reviewing their decision later this year. So is it a named train or a brand? As you say it is just one train there and back and I am inclined to agree it should be a named train.

Technically, all named trains are a brand. Although where does a train have to be 'named' to count for this list? GWR call it the Night Riviera on their website.

 

[heathrowrail]

NAMED TRAINS IN THE UK MAY 2023


In 2020 prior to the Covid 19 out break there were 31 named or titled trains in the UK, the Great Western Railway by far had the most with 20. During the Covid 19 period timetables were effectively ripped up or of no use. It was only as 2022 progressed that a certain amount of normalcy returned although the after effects are still having some effect on reliable timetables.

The main difference now the May 2023 timetable are out is GWR’s decision to do away with naming expresses, according to a WhatsApp message sent to me by them in late February regarding named trains, which read in part “we no longer refer to our trains like this”. Certainly from the May 2023 timetable they have stood by this with no named trains listed, however in a surprise announcement on the 5th May to celebrate the Kings Coronation on the 6th they announce that the 08:48 London Paddington to Swansea would be called The Flying Carolean. Locomotive 802103 was also fitted with a transfer logo. Following further communication with GWR they have confirmed that permeance of this name should appear in print later this year, along with a review of reinstating all the previous named trains removed over the Covid period.

As the practice with some train operating companies is to name a train but not include that name in any timetables and in most cases not even mention it in load speaker announcements or the arrival/departure boards and indeed not even making mention to it on the actual train, compiling a definitive list of modern day named trains is very difficult, however below is the list which to the best of my knowledge is accurate.

Currently the only train operating company publishing their named trains in the timetable is East Midlands Railway.

EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

The Sheffield Continental. 1C05. 04:48 Sheffield to St.Pancras 07:09. (One way only)
The Master Cutler. 1C20. 07:33 Sheffield to St.Pancras 09:37.
1F60. 17:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 19:16.
The South Yorkshireman. 1F65. 18:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 20:02. (One way only)
The Robin Hood. 1B19. 06:40 Lincoln to St.Pancras 09:27.
1D63 17:35 St.Pancras to Nottingham 19:13.

LNER.

Northern Lights. 1W11. 10:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen 17:07.
1E15. 07:55 Aberdeen to Kings Cross 16:46.
The Carolean Express 1S13. Kings Cross to Edinburgh 15:21. (One way only)
Highland Chieftain. 1W16. 12:00 Kings Cross to Inverness 20:05.
1E13. 07:55 Inverness to Kings Cross 08:59.
West Riding Limited 1A07. 06:30 Bradford Forster Sq. to Kings Cross (One way only)
The Flying Scotsman 1E01. 05:40 Edinburgh to Kings Cross 09:40 (One way only)

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

The Gerald of Wales (Y Gerallt Gymro) 1V91 05:33 Holyhead to Cardiff 09:59
1W96 17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead 21:37

GWR

The Flying Carolean 1B07 Paddington to Swansea 11:31 (One Way Only)

As discussed in similar threads I have only Included trains that run just once a day there (and in most cases) back again. Although there are no hard and fast rules I am regarding other named services as brand names, for instance The Night Caledonian.

My information came from the train operating company themselves and a little help from some associated with The Railway Magazine, and of course some on this forum, for which I am very grateful.

To be honest GWR are a * show at the minute doing the bare minimum to keep the DFT happy, Mark Hopwood seems to have lost interest /given up considering it was his idea to rebrand to GWR in the first place. The only thing they seem interested in doing is slapping more vinyl's on IETs and giving out staff rainbow lanyards.

 

[zwk500]

To be honest GWR are a * show at the minute doing the bare minimum to keep the DFT happy, Mark Hopwood seems to have lost interest /given up considering it was his idea to rebrand to GWR in the first place. The only thing they seem interested in doing is slapping more vinyl's on IETs and giving out staff rainbow lanyards.

It's difficult to say they've given up or lost interest rather than being taped to their chair by the DfT. Your anger is justified, but should really be directed at Mark Harper first. Named trains would certainly be among the first places for 'avoidable expense' the DfT can start ticking off their spreadsheets.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

To be honest GWR are a * show at the minute doing the bare minimum to keep the DFT happy, Mark Hopwood seems to have lost interest /given up considering it was his idea to rebrand to GWR in the first place. The only thing they seem interested in doing is slapping more vinyl's on IETs and giving out staff rainbow lanyards.

This is actually quite a long way from the truth on several counts. I'm pretty sure that GWR is one of the only TOCs pressing ahead with a significant timetable enhancement this May (Metrowest) in addition to the normal tranche of seasonal uplifts to Penzance, Newquay, Paignton, Pembroke and Weymouth, which is an entirely commercially-led enhancement rather than anything funded by DfT.

Incidentally the GWR schedules still generally carry the data for the 'named' services, its just that at present they are suppressed from being advertised. To my mind it would make sense for the pullmans to be named and also the key seasonal trains, plus anything else that stands out such as the newly faster 1003 Padd-Penz SX (could easily resume the Cornish Riviera name.)

 

[heathrowrail]

This is actually quite a long way from the truth on several counts. I'm pretty sure that GWR is one of the only TOCs pressing ahead with a significant timetable enhancement this May (Metrowest) in addition to the normal tranche of seasonal uplifts to Penzance, Newquay, Paignton, Pembroke and Weymouth, which is an entirely commercially-led enhancement rather than anything funded by DfT.

Incidentally the GWR schedules still generally carry the data for the 'named' services, its just that at present they are suppressed from being advertised. To my mind it would make sense for the pullmans to be named and also the key seasonal trains, plus anything else that stands out such as the newly faster 1003 Padd-Penz SX (could easily resume the Cornish Riviera name.)

Full because the 06:37 Padd to Penzance is being axed and most of the timetable giggling is actually only bringing the service back to what it was 10 years ago.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Full because the 06:37 Padd to Penzance is being axed and most of the timetable giggling is actually only bringing the service back to what it was 10 years ago.

I think you need to take a proper look at a timetable from 10 years ago.

 

[Envoy]

Let’s hope that GWR do revive their named trains - especially for those with Pullman dining/ fastest services. ‘The Pembroke Coast Express’ could apply to the Saturday services to/from Pembroke Dock. 'The Capitals United’ could apply to the fastest Cardiff > London services in each direction. Hopefully they will insert the name on the electric displays at stations & on the trains - that’s if they actually revive these names? TfW should also be told to have the names on stations under their control along with announcements.

 

[nw1]

It changed quite a while ago, but I can't tell you when, sorry.
In 1974 the 10:00 Flying Scotsman called only at Newcastle and arrived in Edinburgh 15:30
Now the only service which only calls at Newcastle is 1E01 as mentioned above, 05:40-09:40. It's the only service "worthy" of the name really, because for many years now the 10:00 down departure calls at all sorts of extra places.

Looking at the 1982 timetable the Flying Scotsman departed at a less-memorable 1035, and therefore varied from the normal on-the-hour departure for Edinburgh.
It still called at Newcastle only, arriving at 1510.

This would presumably have been an HST so I'm surprised it was significantly slower than the current 0540.

The 1000 was another named train, the Aberdonian, notable for extending to Aberdeen though not especially fast south of Newcastle.

I do seem to remember later in the 80s the Flying Scotsman reverted to an on-the-hour departure, but can't remember which hour.

 

[Trainguy34]

Named trains would certainly be among the first places for 'avoidable expense' the DfT can start ticking off their spreadsheets.

Along with cancelling the spreadsheet subscription and Replacing it with a clipboard

 

[zwk500]

Along with cancelling the spreadsheet subscription and Replacing it with a clipboard

Ooh no, the Civil Service wouldn't know what to do with itself if it didn't have Excel. Google Docs would terrify them.

 

[JW4]

NAMED TRAINS IN THE UK MAY 2023


In 2020 prior to the Covid 19 out break there were 31 named or titled trains in the UK, the Great Western Railway by far had the most with 20. During the Covid 19 period timetables were effectively ripped up or of no use. It was only as 2022 progressed that a certain amount of normalcy returned although the after effects are still having some effect on reliable timetables.

The main difference now the May 2023 timetable are out is GWR’s decision to do away with naming expresses, according to a WhatsApp message sent to me by them in late February regarding named trains, which read in part “we no longer refer to our trains like this”. Certainly from the May 2023 timetable they have stood by this with no named trains listed, however in a surprise announcement on the 5th May to celebrate the Kings Coronation on the 6th they announce that the 08:48 London Paddington to Swansea would be called The Flying Carolean. Locomotive 802103 was also fitted with a transfer logo. Following further communication with GWR they have confirmed that permeance of this name should appear in print later this year, along with a review of reinstating all the previous named trains removed over the Covid period.

As the practice with some train operating companies is to name a train but not include that name in any timetables and in most cases not even mention it in load speaker announcements or the arrival/departure boards and indeed not even making mention to it on the actual train, compiling a definitive list of modern day named trains is very difficult, however below is the list which to the best of my knowledge is accurate.

Currently the only train operating company publishing their named trains in the timetable is East Midlands Railway.

EAST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

The Sheffield Continental. 1C05. 04:48 Sheffield to St.Pancras 07:09. (One way only)
The Master Cutler. 1C20. 07:33 Sheffield to St.Pancras 09:37.
1F60. 17:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 19:16.
The South Yorkshireman. 1F65. 18:02 St.Pancras to Sheffield 20:02. (One way only)
The Robin Hood. 1B19. 06:40 Lincoln to St.Pancras 09:27.
1D63 17:35 St.Pancras to Nottingham 19:13.

LNER.

Northern Lights. 1W11. 10:00 Kings Cross to Aberdeen 17:07.
1E15. 07:55 Aberdeen to Kings Cross 16:46.
The Carolean Express 1S13. Kings Cross to Edinburgh 15:21. (One way only)
Highland Chieftain. 1W16. 12:00 Kings Cross to Inverness 20:05.
1E13. 07:55 Inverness to Kings Cross 08:59.
West Riding Limited 1A07. 06:30 Bradford Forster Sq. to Kings Cross (One way only)
The Flying Scotsman 1E01. 05:40 Edinburgh to Kings Cross 09:40 (One way only)

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

The Gerald of Wales (Y Gerallt Gymro) 1V91 05:33 Holyhead to Cardiff 09:59
1W96 17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead 21:37

GWR

The Flying Carolean 1B07 Paddington to Swansea 11:31 (One Way Only)

As discussed in similar threads I have only Included trains that run just once a day there (and in most cases) back again. Although there are no hard and fast rules I am regarding other named services as brand names, for instance The Night Caledonian.

My information came from the train operating company themselves and a little help from some associated with The Railway Magazine, and of course some on this forum, for which I am very grateful.

West Midlands Railway name their 323s

 

[Condor7]

West Midlands Railway name their 323s

I presume you are referring to the 323 units being named? Of course lots of units and locomotives are given names, and I guess there could be an argument that units are also trains, so perhaps this thread should be called Titled Trains rather than named trains, unless I have misunderstood your comment?

 

[heathrowrail]

West Midlands Railway name their 323s

We are on about Named Express Trains such as "The Cornish Riviera Express", "Flying Scotsman" (Not 4472 but the train LNER currently operate)

 

[Condor7]

We are on about Named Express Trains such as "The Cornish Riviera Express", "Flying Scotsman" (Not 4472 but the train LNER currently operate)

Exactly right

 

[JW4]

We are on about Named Express Trains such as "The Cornish Riviera Express", "Flying Scotsman" (Not 4472 but the train LNER currently operate)

Ah