CrossCountry marks retirement of iconic High Speed Train fleet with final farewell trip

•    CrossCountry partners with Modern Railways and Swanage Railway to mark contribution of the iconic train fleet
•    A special HST service will run from Leeds to Swanage and on the heritage Swanage Railway on Tuesday 26 September
•    All proceeds from the one-off rail tour will be donated to The Brain Tumour Charity

On Tuesday 26 September, CrossCountry will mark the contribution of its iconic inter-city 125 fleet on their North East to South West route with a special charity railtour. 
The train will run from Leeds to Swanage, covering parts of the national network that have not hosted HSTs for many years. The train will then take a special trip on the Swanage Railway to Bournemouth and back, before returning to Leeds. The train will also call at Wakefield, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Leamington Spa and Reading. 
The trip has been organised in partnership with Modern Railways and is being supported by the heritage line Swanage Railway and the rail enthusiast group the Branch Line Society – providing a unique opportunity to travel on an HST on the scenic preserved line.  
Tom Joyner, CrossCountry’s managing director, said:  "Our much-loved HST fleet has served us well for over 40 years and it’s important to take time to commemorate their contribution to the CrossCountry network, as well as the generations of colleagues who have worked tirelessly to maintain them.   
“We’re also pleased to be able to support The Brain Tumour Charity in this collaborative fundraising event, in memory of our colleague Jo Taylor who was a well-loved member of the CrossCountry family.  

“We’re grateful to Swanage Railway for their support in hosting this trip – heritage lines are working railways and major tourist attractions providing valuable support for the local economies of the regions they serve.” 
Philip Sherratt, Editor of Modern Railways, said: “It is a pleasure and privilege for Modern Railways to be able to support this very special trip following our successful partnership last year with CrossCountry on a railtour to the Severn Valley Railway. 
“Over the years in Modern Railways we have chronicled the story of the HST’s development and introduction and the transformative impact it has had on inter-city travel, and it is fitting that we mark this with a celebration as we bring to an end a chapter of that story. The trip also enables us to recognise the people who made it all happen and raise funds for a great cause. 
“Our thanks goes to everyone who has supported this event and worked so hard to make it possible.”