New direct train service from Cardiff and Edinburgh to launch
A new direct train service from Cardiff and Edinburgh has been unveiled.
Set to launch next month, the service will be operated by long distance train operator CrossCountry.
CrossCountry announced the new weekday service linking Wales, England and Scotland by one train for the first time as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable change, rolled out from Sunday, December 15.
The 455-mile journey will connect 22 stations between Cardiff andf Edinbirgh directly by rail in what is thought to be the first service of its kind. Passengers are already able to book journeys on the new route, which takes around seven hours from Edinburgh to Cardiff.
The rail operator said that it would not just be long-distance travellers who will benefit from the new service, many new direct journey options will be available for passengers to book across the entire route, meaning more choice for CrossCountry customers.
Scott Maynard, CrossCountry’s interim managing director, said: “We’re delighted to introduce this new service joining Cardiff and Edinburgh directly by rail for the very first time, meaning even more connections for customers across the length and breadth of the country.
“Thanks to colleagues across CrossCountry and the wider rail industry for their support in delivering these new services linking two of Great Britain’s Capital cities, as well as many other key towns and cities in between.”
Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “We are always happy to support new services that offer more choice for passengers. Connecting two capital cities of the UK in a sustainable way is a positive development.”
The new service will be formed by long-distance Voyager services departing from Cardiff and Penzance in the morning, joining together at Birmingham New Street before proceeding north to Edinburgh.
On the southbound journey, the long-distance Voyager train will depart from Edinburgh and proceed to Gloucester where the service splits into two. Half of the train will travel onwards to Cardiff whilst the other half will terminate at Plymouth.
More information HERE
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Great ! Still doesn’t connect North to South Wales with a decent service. Edinburgh always accessible via Bristol Parkway where you can join the Cornwall to Edinburgh service which may still to go on further north to Aberdeen or Inverness. Swansea – Cardiff – Wrexham – Holyhead with a few stops in between would be worth doing properly.
Check out the price, it will make your eyes water!
how much return
It’s not the 1st ever direct train to Edinburgh from Cardiff. O went on a direct service to Edinburgh in 2003.
Cardiff to Edinburgh has been possible for ages.
Whilst @nything to help economy is welcome , transport creates economies, the fact is you can go Cardiff – London , London -Edinburgh for approx £66 booked in advance , less if you have a railcard £54 with it taking the same sort of time with just the one change . That’s a big difference in cost at £229 ordinary £170 railcard .
Disappointed that The Nation has reproduced the press release from Cross Country Trains without checking that it is factually correct. Which it isn’t. There have been previous direct train services from Cardiff to Edinburgh
Yes it was operated by Virgin Trains which actually started the journey from Swansea
£230?? I’ll stick to flying.
You have a point. Quite a few years back, my other half and I needed to travel from Stockport to south Dorset. When we checked the fares it proved actually to be cheaper – indeed, a lot cheaper – to fly from Manchester airport to Exeter and then take the bus to Bridport. It seemed counter-intuitive, but it was absolutely the case.
I’ve long been of the opinion that CrossCountry is a franchise set up by Avanti West Coast to deliberately fail, thus making them look better in the process, as if such a thing were possible. To see what rail enthusiasts and industry insiders think of this news, see the comments below the line at RailAdvent: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/11/connect-three-new-train-service-will-join-wales-england-and-scotland-for-the-first-time.html
Let’s hope they have enough drivers. Crosscountry services from Cardiff to Nottingham are always seem to be cancelled due to staff shortages.
But the new direct train takes longer than making 1 change at Crewe!!