Mayflower (passenger train)

For the locomotive, see LNER Thompson Class B1 61306.

The Mayflower

6018 King Henry VI with The Mayflower at Dawlish in 1958
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
Termini	London Paddington 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

The Mayflower is a named passenger train service operated by Great Western Railway in England from London Paddington to Plymouth.

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It was withdrawn on 12 June 1965, before the name was reintroduced from 5 May 1970 to 30 April 1971 on the 07:30 service from Paddington and 16:30 return to celebrate the 350th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

1. The Encyclopedia of Titled Trains The Railway Magazine issue 1422 September 2019 pages 62/63
2. BR Western Region to launch Mayflower Railway Gazette International 16 January 1970 page 16
3. Mayflower launched The Railway Magazine issue 831 July 1970 page 407
4. Named British Express Trains The Railway Magazine issue 930 October 1978 page 478

External links