Mayflower (passenger train)

The Mayflower was introduced by the Western Region of British Railways on 5 June 1957, departing Plymouth at 08:30 for London Paddington, returning at 17:30.^[1]

The Mayflower working was normally booked to a Plymouth Laira King class locomotive although the less powerful Castle class would have regularly deputised. Within a few years The Mayflower was turned over to diesel operation by Class 42 and Class 52 classes.

It was withdrawn on 12 June 1965, before the name was reintroduced from 5 May 1970 to 30 April 1971 on the 07:30 service from Paddington and 16:30 return to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the sailing of its namesake.^[1][2][3][4]

It operated again from 1983 until 1985 with High Speed Trains. First Great Western reintroduced it in 1998. As at July 2019, the name was carried by the 11:06 from Paddington and 15:00 return operated by Class 800 and Class 802s.^[1]