Liverpool Lime Street station saw 170 Eurovision superfans arrive on two trains to a rapturous greeting from drag queens, drummers and dancers.
Tuesday the 9th of May saw the trains head to Liverpool Lime Street, one being an Avanti West Coast Progress Train from London Euston and a London Northwestern Railway service branded with Eurovision 2023 from Birmingham New Street. As timing is everything in music, it was fitting that both trains arrived at Liverpool Lime Street at 2pm.
Liverpool City Council had organised a welcome party to greet the superfans with attendees including the Katumba drumming group, drag queens, roller-skating jellyfish, Metro Mayor for Liverpool City Region – Steve Rotheram, Lord Mayor of Liverpool – Councillor Roy Gladden, and Stuart Andrew MP, Culture Minister.
The superfans are all UK members of The Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l'Eurovision (OGAE) which is an international network made up of 42 Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs from across Europe and further afield.
Kyla Thomas, Network Rail Liverpool Lime Street station manager, said: “The city is absolutely buzzing after Eurovision week kicked off on Sunday and we helped thousands of people through the station, and today we were proud to welcome two special trains with very important passengers from OGAE UK.”
“Liverpool City Council put on an amazing spectacle to welcome our Eurovision guests, and both Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway got them here in true party style. I'd like to remind anyone coming to the city this week to remember to carefully plan their journeys by checking National Rail Enquiries for the latest travel information.”
Simon Bennett, OGAE president, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnered with Avanti West Coast and to give our members a chance to travel to Liverpool in style.”
“The atmosphere in Liverpool is already fantastic, but this means our members can get the party started even before they arrive in the city.”
Nicola Ryder, Avanti West Coast commercial partnerships manager, said: We're incredibly proud to play our part in getting this group of dedicated fans to and from Eurovision.”
“Liverpool always guarantees a friendly welcome, and it's the home of so many great musicians over the years, making it the perfect venue to host this year's event on behalf of the people of Ukraine.”
“The atmosphere on the journey north was amazing and we have no doubt our guests will have a Eurovision to remember.”
Jonny Wiseman, London Northwestern Railway customer experience director, said: “I am delighted we have been able to celebrate the UK hosting Eurovision for the first time in a quarter of a century by wrapping one of our Class 350 trains in the distinctive official branding.”
“Like the railway, Eurovision is about bringing people together and we are thrilled to play our part in this major international celebration.”
Passengers travelling by train are reminded that industrial action will take place on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th of May and will see mainline rail travel heading to Liverpool affected this weekend. Because of this, customers are advised to check with their rail operators and plan their travel using the advice given.
- Avanti West Coast's information page
- Northern's information page
- TransPennine Express' information page
- East Midlands Railway's information page
- Transport for Wales' information page
Industrial action will not affect the Merseyrail network and will be open for travel as usual.
