A hundred Coldstream Guards travelled with London North Eastern Railway earlier this week to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the regiment.
Azuma No. 800111, named ‘Thank You’, operated the 07:00 London King’s Cross to Berwick-upon-Tweed. This train was named as a tribute to those who serve or have served in the armed forces.
The journey took three and a half hours, which is a stark contrast to the five week trek the Coldstream Guards would have taken in 1660.
“We’re thrilled to take the Coldstream Guards to Berwick and to support their anniversary celebrations, in a year which is also special to the railway.
“This year is the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, so it’s remarkable to think the Guards have been serving the country for almost twice the length of time the railway has been in existence. We wish them all the very best for such a significant year.”
James Downey, LNER Finance Director and Executive Sponsor of the train operator’s armed forces network
Responses
Quite by chance, my wife and I decided to travel from York to Berwick on the same train. It was impressive (and surreal) to see the guardsmen in full uniform sitting in the train, and then following the disembarkation, he marches through the town and returning south on the same train. It was truly a stirring sight and sound. LNER clearly did a fantastic job managing the transport operation and providing catering. Good to see positive media coverage for this ‘combined operation’.