 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2011) |
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Passenger train |
| First service | 1 July 1904 |
| Current operator(s) | Great Western Railway |
| Former operator(s) | |
| Route | |
| Termini | London Paddington Penzance |
| Average journey time | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) |
|
| Line(s) used | |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Class 802/1 |
| Operating speed | 125 mph |
The Cornish Riviera Express is a British express passenger train that has run between London Paddington and Penzance in Cornwall since 1904. Introduced by the Great Western Railway, the name Cornish Riviera Express has been applied to the late morning express train from London to Penzance continuously through nationalisation under British Rail and privatisation under First Great Western, only ceasing briefly during the two World Wars. The name is also applied to the late morning express train running in the opposite direction from Penzance to London. Through performance and publicity the Cornish Riviera Express has become one of the most famous named trains in the United Kingdom and is particularly renowned for the publicity employed by the Great Western Railway in the 1930s which elevated it to iconic status. Today it is operated by the Great Western Railway train operating company.