Attempt at quickest London to Glasgow train journey passing through region
An attempt to break the 36-year-old record for the fastest train journey between London and Glasgow will pass through the West Midlands on Thursday.
Avanti West Coast is running a non-stop service from London Euston to Glasgow Central to highlight "the ease of travelling between the home nations".
The private operator is collaborating with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train's path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line.
The existing record for the quickest train journey between the two cities is three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds.
That was set by British Rail in December 1984 using a prototype Advanced Passenger Train.
The quickest modern regular services on the route take around four-and-a-half hours.
The attempt at setting a new record is being made by a nine-carriage Pendolino train named Royal Scot. The train is expected to speed through Stafford Station, but miss out the diversionary route that takes in Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street.
The train will travel at 125mph – the maximum permitted speed on Britain's mainline railway – for as much of the 401-mile route as possible.
Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said the event will be a "brilliant collaboration across the railway industry".
He added: "It shows how the clean, green railway of today can cement economic growth, jobs, housing and social cohesion through better connectivity across the United Kingdom."
Sir Peter has been asked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to examine how UK transport links can be improved, and will publish his final report this summer.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of Avanti West Coast's parent company First Rail, claimed the record attempt "shows how effectively rail can deliver cross-border connectivity".
He added that trains have an "essential role" in connecting major cities, driving economic growth and combating climate change.
The Railway Performance Society was today's official timekeeper for the record attempt.
Regular train tickets will not be valid for the service, which was due to depart at 10.36am.
The train will carry rail industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine who have made a charitable donation.
The money raised will go towards Avanti West Coast's charity partner Action for Children and the Railway Benefit Fund, which support people involved in the railway and their families.
