Historic high speed locomotive launches test run from Crewe

By Ryan Parker 4th Mar 2026

Local News by Ryan Parker 1 hour ago 3

The Midland Pullman, Britains's first ever luxury high speed train, departed from Crewe Railway Station at 10.58am on a non-stop journey to London Euston (Photo: Nub News).

A historic locomotive that ran from 1960 to 1966 has been test run from Crewe on Wednesday 4 March, as part of plans to upgrade high speed trains to sustained running at 125mph.

The Midland Pullman, Britains's first ever luxury high speed train, departed from Crewe Railway Station at 10.58am on a non-stop journey to London Euston.

Renowned for its striking dark blue livery, The Midland Pullman travels along the West Coast Main Line via Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, Tamworth, Nuneaton Rugby, Milton Keynes and Watford Junction to London Euston.

The Midland Pullman is an official test to increase the line speed for high speed trains on the West Coast Main Line to a sustained 125mph (Photo: Nub News).

Travelling at 125mph throughout the 146-mile journey, The Midland Pullman is an official test to increase the line speed for high speed trains on the West Coast Main Line.

Midland Pullman said: "We are pleased to present a unique opportunity to travel on the Midland Pullman train for a test run from Crewe to London Euston and return as our HST (High Speed Train) travels for the first time at 125mph on a non-stop journey.

"This train is operated as an official test with a view to the line speed for HST's being upgraded to sustained running at 125mph.

"It travels along the West Coast Main Line via Stafford, Rugby and Milton Keynes for an arrival in London Euston at 12.55pm and departure at 2.05pm for the return journey."

Check out Crewe Nub News' footage of The Midland Pullman departing the railway station HERE.

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Comments (3)

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1Z44 headcode I believe if you want keep track.on Pl 13 at the Mo.

PS those thinking of buying expensive tickets on outings with this train, especially females, might like to know that it, the company and the other tour companies based in the same depot are owned by the man who personally funds Reclaim Party, and it's leader leader Laurence Fox (misogynist and ex actor). https://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/?currentPage=1&rows=10&query=reclaim%20party . As someone once said, you can tell a lot about a man by the company he keeps....

It takes brave man to write a railway article in Crewe with so little knowledge of the subject. Especally when the subject was built in Crewe!

The only link between this marketing ploy and the train that ran from 1960-66 is the colour scheme and the crest. This locomotive isn't new in any sense and isn't really historic either. In this form it was featured in a Channel 5 series (part filmedin Crewe) some years ago. Before the redecoration is was simply part of BR Intercity125, trains which ran at "sustained" 125mph from 1976 until 2019 so what this stunt is supposed to prove isn't clear.

And it's 158 miles from Crewe to Euston!