Fastest train in the UK goes to Hull

In its journal Milepost, the Railway Performance Society surveyed trains that average over 100 mph from start to stop. They found the fastest train is the 07.20 London to Hull, which covers the 77.7 miles from Stevenage to Grantham in 42 minutes, at an average 111mph.

Jeremy Hartill who undertook the survey, said: “It was quite a surprise that the fastest train in Britain was not from Virgin or East Coast but a First Hull Trains service and also a diesel train rather than an electric one.

“This fast time is made possible by the small number of speed restrictions on the route and the fast start and finish possible at Stevenage and Grantham due to the railway layout there. It’s all done within the strictly enforced 125mph maximum speed and shows what can be achieved within current infrastructure limits”

Head of Customer Service Darren Fennah said: “First Hull Trains faces a lot of competition from big-name companies like East Coast and Virgin, but results like this really show that the size of the company is not what makes a good service.”