Gatwick Express facts for kids
| Franchise(s): | Gatwick Trains 28 April 1996 – 22 June 2008 Part of the South Central franchise 22 June 2008 – 19 September 2009 20 September 2009 – 25 July 2015 Part of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise 26 July 2015 – September 2021 |
|---|---|
| Main route(s): | London Victoria – Gatwick Airport |
| Other route(s): | Brighton |
| Fleet size: |
|
| Stations called at: | 8 |
| Stations operated: | 0 |
| Route km operated: | 43.3 |
| National Rail abbreviation: | GX |
| Parent company: | Govia Thameslink Railway |
| Web site: | www.gatwickexpress.com |
The Gatwick Express is a special train service in England. It offers a fast way to travel between London Victoria station and Gatwick Airport. This train is known for being quick because it doesn't stop at any stations between these two main points.
The service runs on the Brighton Main Line, a railway line that connects London to the city of Brighton and Hove in South East England. While its main job is to link London and Gatwick Airport, some trains also continue to Brighton.
Contents
What is the Gatwick Express?
The Gatwick Express is a direct train service. It is designed to get passengers to and from Gatwick Airport quickly. This makes it very popular for people flying in or out of London.
How Often Do Trains Run?
A Gatwick Express train leaves London Victoria station every 15 minutes. The journey to Gatwick Airport station takes about 30 minutes. This regular schedule makes it easy for travelers to plan their trips.
Beyond Gatwick Airport
After reaching Gatwick Airport, some trains continue their journey. On weekdays and Saturdays, at least every other train goes non-stop to Brighton. During busy times, all trains might go to Brighton. These trains make two stops between Gatwick and Brighton. On Sundays, all Gatwick Express trains finish their journey at Gatwick Airport. They do not continue to Brighton on Sundays.
History of the Service
The Gatwick Express has been running for many years. It started as its own train operating company (TOC). A TOC is a company that runs trains on specific routes.
Before June 2008, Gatwick Express was a separate company. It was owned by Southern, another train company. On 22 June 2008, the Gatwick Express company was closed. Now, the Gatwick Express service is run directly by Southern. However, it still keeps its well-known name, Gatwick Express.
Trains Used by Gatwick Express
Over the years, the Gatwick Express service has used different types of trains. Many of these trains were specially designed for this fast airport link.
-
The first trains used were pulled by Class 73 locomotives.
-
From 1999 to 2012, Class 460s were used. Their unique front design earned them the nickname "Darth Vaders."
-
Another Class 460 train, seen here at Victoria station. It has a Continental Airlines logo on its side.
-
From 2008 to 2016, Class 442 Wessex Electrics were used. These trains were built 20 years earlier but were updated.
-
Inside the Class 387 trains. These trains replaced the older ones in 2016. They have both "Standard Class" and "First Class" seating areas.
Related Pages
- Heathrow Express
- Stansted Express
- Airport rail link
Images for kids
-
73213 University of Kent at Canterbury on Gatwick Express duties in 1998
-
Original privatisation era logo from 1994
-
Exterior of a Class 387 passenger carriage
See also
In Spanish: Gatwick Express para niños
