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Economic Development

Britain's longest train journey to be scrapped after more than a century

The CrossCountry service from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall has been running since 1921

A Great Western Railway (GWR) Hitachi train waits at Penzance station(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)

The º£½ÇÊÓÆµ's longest direct train journey is being axed after more than 100 years. CrossCountry said it would cease to operate the route from Aberdeen to Penzance as part of a series of changes set to take effect next month.

The 774-mile route, which takes approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes to complete, passes through 35 stops and offers passengers views of Britain's diverse landscapes.

Since its launch in 1921, the train departs from Aberdeen at 8.20am, travelling through cities such as York, Bristol, Taunton, and Truro before arriving in Penzance at 9.31pm.

According to the Express, passengers spend nearly two hours stationary during the journey as people get on and off at each stop.

However, as part of its regular timetable updates, CrossCountry has outlined changes planned for 2025. The historic Aberdeen to Penzance route will make its final run on May 16, with the new schedules starting on May 18, reports .

Those interested in experiencing the last direct journey can purchase single standard class tickets starting from £138.60.

Travel expert Simon Calder, writing for The Independent, said: "As an advocate for rail travel, it's a touch sad that the longest direct train in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ is being curtailed – but the number of people who actually travelled the 13-and-a-bit hours from northeast Scotland to southwest England was minuscule."

Calder acknowledged the disappointment of losing the service but pointed out the silver lining: "the main line through Cornwall from Plymouth to Penzance will remain well served, and if the CrossCountry core is better served due to the redeployment of rolling stock and staff, that will be a net gain."