Train named for town at special ceremony
A 40 metric tonne machine with a top speed of 100mph was named for Royston at a windswept ceremony held in the town yesterday.
MP Oliver Heald unveiled the The Royston Express, a 12-carriage train, in recognition of two new non-stop evening services from Kings Cross to Royston created shortly before Christmas.
The ribbon to the town’s northbound rail platform, extended by Network Rail, was also cut by Town Mayor Councillor Martin Beaver.
Mr Heald, Mp for North East Herts, said: “I have worked closely with First Capital Connect to support their plan to run extra services and longer trains giving Royston travellers many more seats every day to ease overcrowding.
“I also thank Network Rail.
You may also want to watch:
“This is great news and I am delighted to name the train The Royston Express.”
Both county and district councillors attended the event which celebrated the introduction of thousands of extra rush hour seats.
Most Read
- 1 Inside Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs: Award-winning kennels' labour of love
- 2 Royston's George Crotty selected by GB for World Boxing Championships
- 3 Man arrested on suspicion of drugs offence after two warrants issued
- 4 MP survey slams East West Rail for 'lacklustre' consultation
- 5 Pupils wish villagers a happy harvest with afternoon tea
- 6 Group of mums and dad in wig go the distance for wheelchair charity
- 7 'We were lied to' - Residents' dismay as development prompts privacy concerns
- 8 Dozens die after catching COVID-19 in our hospitals
- 9 Ewan's handiwork sees him give back to his old school with help of charity
- 10 Tributes paid to 'greatly respected' coach operator
This has been done by extending the amount of carriages which has resulted in 2,350 extra places.
Cllr Beaver said: “This is very welcome news for all the commuters of Royston and the surrounding area.
“Overcrowding has been a major problem for a number of years, I am overjoyed to see that it is being addressed and hope that it will now encourage more people to use our rail system in the future.”
The longer trains are part of a wider set of improvements introduced through a scheme jointly developed by First Capital Connect and the Department for Transport with Network Rail.
A spokesman for First Capital Connect said: “Hopefully it will provide a more comfortable travelling experience.
“We know that overcrowding is the biggest bugbear for people who have been travelling for miles and we are doing what we can to alleviate it for people.”
