Waverley

The Waverley, originally called the Thames–Forth Express, is the name of an express passenger train which operated on the Midland Main Line from St Pancras railway station to and which ceased in 1968. The original name was given to the morning departure from London by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in September 1927. Its sister train to Glasgow, which departed an hour later, was named the Thames–Clyde Express. The Waverley travelled by the scenic Settle–Carlisle line, but could not compete on speed to Scotland with the trains travelling on the East Coast Main Line via York. Its route was longer and steeper, and Midland expresses could not ignore major population centres en route. As a result, after the 1920s few passengers travelled the full length of the route. The Thames–Forth lost its title at the outbreak of World War II in common with almost all named trains in the UK. It was not restored this time as, The Waverley until June 1957. However, the effect of regional division, mining subsidence along part of the route, and underpowered locomotives meant that its performance was actually inferior in time to that achieved in 1939.