It could soon be the end of a railway era - or perhaps not... While UK trains have a reputation for being constantly delayed and consistently unreliable: there is one route that captured the nation's heart. Introduced way back in 1921, and only taking a much-needed hiatus during Covid, the non-stop route from Aberdeen to Penzance has become somewhat of a bucket-list journey. Taking a staggering 13 hours and 20 minutes, this epic course features 35 stops (36 if you count the one you board at) and a grand total of two hours in total stood still, waiting for passengers to embark and disembark at each station along the way.
As previously reported, this journey is ideal for those wanting to admire Britain's unappreciated beauty from the comfort of your own seat: from the sandy beaches of Montrose to the AONB of Alnmouth - all the way down to the tourist-crazy town of St Austell. But, fears the legendary trip could become a mere memory of the past have emerged. But, speaking to the Mirror, a spokesperson for Cross Country did not confirm or deny whether the non-stop route would be axed, pointing out that its future timetable remains a draft. Such a change would mean passengers wanting to travel the length of the UK would have to make a transfer (most likely to be in Edinburgh Waverley - Scotland's biggest railway station).
"We're currently not able to confirm details of our May 2025 timetable, which remains in draft form and is subject to confirmation," they added. "We are continuing to work with partners across the industry to agree a timetable that delivers the best balance of capacity, customer satisfaction and revenue, while also providing confidence in operational delivery.". Want big news with big heart? Get the top headlines sent straight to your inbox with our Daily Newsletter.
CrossCountry says it's timetable should be confirmed in the next fortnight or so. Until then, rail enthusiasts can still book on the non-stop ride, which departs at 8.20am and arrives at its final destination at 9.31pm. It is common to only be able to buy train tickets up to 12 weeks in advanced - so don't be alarmed if tickets for next year won't show. Prices can vary depending on how in advanced you book and on what day. An adult ticket departing on Tuesday 25 March, for example, costs £123.30 (which is less than £10 per hour on board) - while a first-class upgrade would set you back £253.70.*.
