THE president of a Crewe-based rail charity was on board a Pendolino train as it narrowly missed out on setting the record for the quickest journey between London and Glasgow.

Peter Waterman, a long-standing enthusiast of all things rail as well as one of the country's most famed record producers, was representing the Railway Benefit Fund on the Royal Scot as it set off from London Euston yesterday morning (Thursday).

The quickest train journey between the two cities remains intact at three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds set by an Advanced Passenger Train (APT) in 1984, but only just.

In its bid to break the record Avanti West Coast worked with Network Rail to ensure the Pendolino was given as clear a run north as possible, but a temporary speed restriction in the Scottish Borders left it falling just 23 seconds short of the 36-year-old record.

Joining Mr Waterman (pictured above) on board the Royal Scot were industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine who made charitable donations with all the cash raised going towards Avanti West Coast's charity partner, Action for Children, and the Railway Benefit Fund, which supports railway families from its offices on Nantwich Road.

Royal Scot maintained speeds of 125mph, the maximum allowed, for most of the 401-miles route as possible.

But although the West Coast Main Line has been upgraded massively over three decades, the Pendolino had ground to make up on the APT, which was able to run at 140mph for some of its 1984 journey.

The Royal Scot kept an average speed of 103mph on its journey, which included flying past its rival, but long since grounded APT, in the sidings at Crewe Heritage Centre.

Mark Smith, a former British Rail manager who made the journey, said: "We've raised some money for charity and highlighted the potential for train not plane between London and Scotland.

"It's still the fastest train I've ever taken from London to Scotland."