Article from BTNews 28 OCTOBER 2019
Cardiff to London in 93min
A new Cardiff – London Paddington speed record has been set by train operator Great Western Railway with its bullet-style Intercity Express Train (IET) as it prepares for the introduction of a new timetable.
The 145-mile journey took 1hr 33min 44sec, eclipsing the previous record of 1hr 37min 37sec set by a High Speed Train on 2 August 1988 before the introduction of new driving practices and speed restrictions in 2008.
Last week’s record was the third in the past month as GWR published its 15 December timetable, the biggest on the network since 1976, offering faster journeys and more frequent services, and saving up to 17min on Cardiff – Paddington.
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “This shows just what our IETs are capable of as we prepare to implement a major timetable change enabling us to take advantage of the full benefits they bring."
The changes will shorten typical journey times on the twice-hourly Cardiff – London service by 14min to 1hr 53min. A new, super-fast third hourly peak service non-stop between Bristol Parkway – Paddington will take 1hr 42min, 17min faster than today.
The fastest journey from Paddington – Swansea will now be 2hr 38min, 18min quicker than today, with typical journey times shortened by 14min to 2hr 46min.
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