Virgin Trains Break London – Glasgow Record
25 Sep 2006
Virgin Trains Break London – Glasgow Record
Preston driver Russell Southworth received a hero’s welcome as he arrived at Euston following a record breaking non-stop run from Glasgow. Mr Southworth covered the 401 miles in 3 hours 55 minutes and 27 seconds. This is the first time a south bound run between the two cities has been completed in under four hours and marks the first non-stop run since 1949.
Speaking from the footplate to Railstaff’s Jonathan Webb, Mr Southworth said, ‘I’m really proud to have broken the record, not only for myself but for Virgin Trains as well. I was always confident we could smash the record.’
As he stepped down from the train Russell was mobbed by passengers and enthusiasts who wanted his autograph.
Russell Southworth followed his father, grandfather and uncle onto the railway, becoming a driver in 1988. He was chosen for the run after all the drivers who had the necessary route knowledge had their names put in a hat.
Virgin Chairman Richard Branson thanked Network Rail for making sure the train had a clear run. Virgin Trains’ managing director, WCML, Charles Belcher, said the record run demonstrated the potential of an upgraded West Coast Main Line.
The run raised £36,700 to help fund specially adapted motorbikes that will be able to deliver health care to remote parts of Africa.