Editing Central Trains (section)

== Network ==
At its greatest extent, Central Trains operated 253 stations and provided services covering 1,534 miles of the UK's railway network, covering most of central England and Mid Wales.<ref name="Johnston">{{cite journal|editor-first=Howard|editor-last=Johnston|year=2001|title=The comprehensive guide to Britain's railways|journal=A Comprehensive Guide to Britain's New Railway|publisher=EMAP Active|location=Peterborough|issn=1368-437X}}</ref>  In its last years, the company saw 43 million passenger journeys and a total of 930 million miles travelled every year.

Services ranged from rural and local services to flagship express services originally branded as [[Alphaline]] and later developed into Central Citylink. In the West Midlands, the company also operated the extensive urban rail services under contract to the [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive]].

=== Long distance services ===
Key longer distance and express routes included:
* Birmingham New Street – Liverpool Lime Street
* Birmingham New Street – Stansted Airport
* Cardiff Central – Birmingham New Street – Nottingham
* Liverpool Lime Street – Nottingham – Norwich

From 2003 onwards, the '''Central Citylink''' brand name was used by Central Trains to differentiate its long-distance and regional express routes from local services. The brand was used in timetables and publicity to highlight the enhanced service provided on such routes.

[[File:Citylinkmap2.svg|thumb|right| A map of the Citylink routes]]
While there was no separate dedicated fleet, Citylink services were usually operated by Central Trains' more modern [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170]] and [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158]] diesel multiple units, featuring air-conditioning and reservable seating. At-seat catering was also provided on many services.<ref>[http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx/mc/releases/pr2003/pressrelease/?id=3277265 National Express Group] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024105502/http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx/mc/releases/pr2003/pressrelease/?id=3277265 |date=24 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4213513.stm|title=Central takes second-hand route|publisher=BBC News|date=27 January 2005|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>

Central Trains' Guide 1 timetable was designated for all Citylink services, and highlight the special features of the brand.<ref>[http://centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=443 Central Trains' timetables] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922041251/http://centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=443 |date=22 September 2007 }}</ref>

=== Regional services ===
* Birmingham New Street – Nottingham via Leicester (terminated at Leicester from 2004)
* Birmingham New Street – Nottingham via Derby
* Birmingham New Street – Shrewsbury
* Birmingham New Street – Mid Wales and Chester (transferred away in 2001)
* Northampton – Crewe
* Coventry – Lincoln Central via Nuneaton (ceased in 2004)
* Nuneaton – Coventry (from 2005)
* Nottingham – Skegness
* Doncaster / Lincoln Central – Peterborough via Spalding
* Newark North Gate – Lincoln – Cleethorpes
* Leicester – Lincoln Central (from 2004)
* Derby – Crewe / Nottingham / Matlock
* Nottingham – Mansfield Woodhouse / Worksop

[[File:Oxford 2003 central special.png|thumb|right|200px|Central Trains' [[British Rail Class 158|158855]] at [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]] in 2003, on hire to Thames Trains for Bristol-Oxford and Oxford-Bicester Town services.]]

=== Network West Midlands services ===
* Coventry – Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton (split at New Street in 2004)
* ''Cross City Line'': Redditch/Longbridge – Four Oaks/Lichfield Trent Valley
* ''Snow Hill Lines'': Great Malvern/Worcester/Kidderminster – Dorridge/Shirley/Stratford-upon-Avon
* ''Chase Line'': Birmingham – Walsall / Stafford (cut back to Rugeley in 2005)
* Walsall – Wellington via Wolverhampton
* Worcester – Birmingham New Street <!--(ceased in 2004）-->