Editing Central Trains

{{Short description|Former British train operating company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox rail company
|name = Central Trains
|image=170518 at Peterborough.JPG
|image_size=300px
|caption= A [[British Rail Class 170|Class 170 ''Turbostar'']] at {{stnlnk|Peterborough}} in 2004
|franchise=Central Trains<br /> 2 March 1997 – 11 November 2007
|logo=Central Trains logo.svg
|abbr=CT
|regions=[[English Midlands|Midlands]] ([[East Midlands|East]], [[West Midlands (region)|West]])
|secregions=[[North West England]], [[East Anglia]], [[South East Wales]]
|fleet=156
|stations=232 (193 operated)
|parent_company=[[National Express]]
|website=
|successor=[[London Midland]]<br>[[East Midlands Trains]]<br>[[CrossCountry]]|predecessor=[[Regional Railways]]}}
[[File:Central trains logo 1997.gif|thumb|right|300px|Central Trains' earliest logo, drawing on that of predecessor [[Regional Railways]]]]
'''Central Trains'''<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007938 Companies House extract company no 3007938] Central Trains Limited</ref> was a [[train operating company]] in the United Kingdom owned by [[National Express]] that operated a variety of local and inter-regional trains from 2 March 1997 until 11 November 2007.

== Overview ==
Created out of the Central division of [[Regional Railways]] during the [[Privatisation of British Rail]], Central Trains passed into the private sector on 2 March 1997.<ref name="Knight">{{cite journal|editor-first=Steven|editor-last=Knight|year=1997|title=A comprehensive guide to Britain's new railway|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|location=Peterborough|issn=1368-437X}}</ref> The franchise was awarded to [[National Express]], who maintained control of the company until its eventual demise in 2007. Central Trains employed over 2,400 staff.<ref name="Key Facts and Figures">{{cite web|url=http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=462 |title=Key Facts and Figures |publisher=Central Trains |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211171539/http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=462 |archive-date=11 February 2007 }}</ref>

The company invested significantly in rolling stock, with significant orders for new trains placed and the fleet later further grown through the acquisition of trains made surplus by other companies. Despite a reduction in the area covered during the ten years of its existence, the company grew its core fleet from fewer than 300<ref name="Knight" /> passenger vehicles to a total of 379<ref name="Key Facts and Figures" /><ref name="Junction2007">{{cite web|title=Fleet Lists |url=http://www.thejunction.org.uk/dmul.html |publisher=The Junction |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916212248/http://www.thejunction.org.uk/dmul.html |archive-date=16 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> – a capacity increase of over 28%. It also refurbished a number of its stations, introducing ticket gates, help points and live information boards.

Central Trains also clamped down on vandalism on its trains and [[fare evasion]], including through a controversial poster campaign publicising the names and addresses of passengers who had been fined for not having valid tickets.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5294672.stm|title=Train firm tackles fare dodging|publisher=BBC News|date=29 August 2006|access-date=2 January 2010}}</ref>

The franchise gained a reputation for poor timekeeping: its best performing period between 2000 and 2007 still saw one in six trains five minutes late or more,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6506363.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Train firm's timekeeping improves|date=29 March 2007|access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref> with punctuality dropping as low as 61% in 2003.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2847151.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Train punctuality plummets|date=13 March 2003|access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref> The company also suffered from ongoing staff relations problems which led to extensive and long-lasting cancellations of Sunday services.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4536628.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=No drivers means no Sunday trains|date=16 December 2005|access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6186065.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Driver shortage disrupts trains|date=17 December 2006|access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6941763.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Rail travellers face disruption|date=12 August 2007|access-date=28 April 2010}}</ref>

Following a government policy announced in 2004, Central Trains was eventually disbanded in November 2007 with its services dispersed amongst [[London Midland]], [[East Midlands Trains]] and [[CrossCountry]].

== 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）-->

== Service Changes ==

=== 1990s New long distance services ===

In the late 1990s, Central Trains began publicising additional long-distance through journeys, by amalgamating previously self-contained services in its timetables. For example, where a train had previously been timetabled to work a Shrewsbury to Birmingham service followed by a Birmingham to Leicester service, the workings were combined and shown as a single direct Shrewsbury – Birmingham – Leicester service in the public timetable. This resulted in some particularly lengthy services such as those from Aberystwyth in Mid Wales to Grimsby on the opposite coast of the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19991932.htm |title=Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 1932 |access-date=17 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203001247/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19991932.htm |archive-date=3 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NRT">{{cite journal|year=2000|title=National Rail Timetable 28 May to 23 September 2000|journal=Great Britain National Rail Passenger Timetable|publisher=Railtrack plc|location=London|issn=1367-0352}}</ref>

Additionally, direct services from Birmingham to Stansted Airport were introduced during May 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.greatorme.org.uk/knottystudy.htm|title = North Staffordshire Railway Passenger Services 1910-1999}}</ref>

=== 2001 Mid Wales service transfer ===

Services west of Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, Pwllheli and Chester were transferred away as part of the formation of a new combined [[Wales & Borders franchise]] in late 2001. Eleven Class 158 units were transferred to the new operator at this time.

=== 2004{{ndash}}2005 Service changes ===

Central Trains had a major shakeup between 2004{{ndash}}2005 to prepare them for the eventual break up of the franchise. In 2004, services from Leamington Spa to Birmingham Snow Hill & Stratford upon Avon were transferred into [[Chiltern Railways]], but the company maintained a peak hour service to and from Leamington Spa. The service between Birmingham and Stourbridge was increased to every 10 minutes and this in turn increased the Kidderminster service, as a part of the new Stourbridge line timetable all remaining Birmingham New Street trains were diverted into Birmingham Snow Hill. [[Liverpool Lime Street railway station|Liverpool Lime Street]] to Stansted Airport split at New Street to form two services due to problems with delays. Previously Central Trains ran services from Birmingham New Street to Nottingham via Leicester as well as Derby, this service was split, the Leicester to Nottingham service was merged with the hourly Ivanhoe Line service to Loughbourgh and was extended past Nottingham all stations to Lincoln.

During 2004, Trent Valley local services that ran generally between Stafford and Nuneaton (some extended to / from Coventry or Rugby) were discontinued due to a Driver shortage and not restored until over year later, when they were replaced by an electric service from Northampton to Crewe. Another fatality of the 'lack of Drivers' was the service between Birmingham to Stafford via Walsall, services were cut back (as today) to run between Birmingham and Rugeley Trent Valley.

Central discontinued their single Northampton service a day which ran to Nottingham (and other locations) via Birmingham once they gained the Birmingham to Northampton route from sister company Silverlink Trains in 2004{{ndash}}2005. Two trains per hour from Birmingham New Street – London Euston via Northampton was replaced by one train per hour to Northampton which connected badly with onward services to London Euston (although a few trains a day did run straight through to / from London as an unofficial joint service). The Northampton service started off as an hourly express service until it was merged with the local service to Coventry adding more journey time.

Coventry to Nottingham via Leicester services were discontinued after engineering work at Nuneaton station made it impossible for trains from Coventry to join the line towards Leicester and no attempt was ever made to rectify this. This service was restored in 2005 as an hourly shuttle to Nuneaton, with passengers requiring changing at Nuneaton for Leicester (and change again at Leicester for Nottingham).

The local service to and from Coventry to Wolverhampton calling all stations was also changed in 2004. It was split at Birmingham New Street as Central Trains starting operating [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321 EMUs]]. A later development was implemented that had trains running express from New Street to Birmingham International (with some stops at Marston Green) then all stations to Coventry and services to Walsall were extended to Birmingham International calling all stations, Adderley Park station was cut down to one train per hour shortly after this.

Central Trains operated train crew depots at:
* Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Snow Hill, Boston, Cambridge, Coventry, Crewe, Leicester, Lincoln, Machynlleth (until 2001), Norwich, Nottingham, Pwllheli (until 2001), Shrewsbury, Stourbridge Junction, Leamington Spa, Wolverhampton and Worcester Shrub Hill

Central Trains maintained and stored trains at:
* Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Tyseley, Boston, Cambridge, Coventry, Crewe, Leicester, Lincoln, Machynlleth (until 2001), Norwich, Nottingham, Pwllheli (until 2001), Shrewsbury, Smethwick Soho TMD, Leamington Spa, Wolverhampton and Worcester Shrub Hill
<!--[[File:Central Citylink Route map.gif|thumb|right|Central Citylink route map {{rfu-c|2 July 2007}}]]-->

== Performance ==
Considering the difficulties with which Central Trains contended, including sharing tracks with so many other operators, it did not perform too badly in its twilight months. The last figures released by the ORR (Office of Rail Regulation) rated Central Trains' performance at 84.8% for the PPM ([[Public Performance Measure]]) over the third quarter of the financial year 2007/8.<ref name="rail-reg.gov.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/356.pdf |title=Office of Rail Regulation – National Rail Trends |publisher=ORR |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219163142/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/356.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was an improvement over the same period the previous year, during which they achieved 82.7%. Their final MAA was 86.6%.<ref name="rail-reg.gov.uk" />

== Rolling stock ==
[[File:156 unit in Coventry 2000.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Central Trains' [[British Rail Class 156|156402]] in [[Regional Railways]] livery at {{stnlnk|Coventry}} in 2000. The direct service from Coventry to {{stnlnk|Skegness}} ceased in 2004.]]

Central Trains' fleet was primarily made up of [[diesel multiple unit]] trains, with an additional fleet of electric trains in use around Birmingham.

The awarding of the franchise was soon followed by multiple orders for a total of 33 new air-conditioned, 100&nbsp;mph [[British Rail Class 170|Turbostar]] trains, intended to boost the fleet and replace older rolling stock. Though a large number of 1980s and 1990s [[diesel multiple unit]] trains inherited from [[British Rail]] remained, the last 1960s and 70s 'slam door' trains had been retired by 2000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Fleet |url=http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/ctIndex.aspx?id=452 |publisher=Central Trains |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211180004/http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/ctIndex.aspx?id=452 |archive-date=11 February 2007 }}</ref>

Over the course of the franchise, a number of the older {{brc|156}} and {{brc|158}} trains were transferred away to other operators including [[Wales & Borders]] and [[National Express East Anglia|One]]. This was balanced by the acquisition of additional Turbostar trains no longer required by sister company [[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]] as well as additional Class 150 and Class 158 units made surplus by other operators. Over the years, both Class 150 and 158 trains were shuffled between two and three carriage formations to meet changing needs.

The [[Strategic Rail Authority]] decision to divert rolling stock originally intended for [[South West Trains]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release|url=http://www.angeltrains.co.uk/press/release.aspx?Id=549|publisher=Angel Trains|access-date=16 February 2010|archive-date=25 May 2006|archive-url=https://archive.today/20060525070621/http://www.angeltrains.co.uk/press/release.aspx?Id=549|url-status=dead}}</ref> also saw the company benefit from a fleet of 30 new 100&nbsp;mph [[British Rail Class 350|Class 350 ''Desiro'']] units, which were shared with [[Silverlink]] for use on the [[West Coast Main Line]] between Euston and Northampton/Liverpool via Tamworth.

Rolling stock in 1997 consisted entirely of trains inherited from British Rail. Some, such as Class 310 and Class 312 trains were in the process of withdrawal at privatisation.<ref name="Knight" /> By the final months of the franchise, Central Trains had a significantly more modern fleet.<ref name="Junction2007" /> It was also supplementing its fleet with {{brc|321}} and new {{brc|350}} electric trains shared with sister company [[Silverlink]].

=== Fleet at start of franchise ===
Rolling stock in 1997 consisted entirely of trains inherited from British Rail. Some, such as Class 310 and Class 312 trains were in the process of withdrawal at privatisation.<ref name="Knight" />
{| class="wikitable"
|----- bgcolor=#f9f9f9
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Routes operated
! rowspan="2" |Built
|----- bgcolor=#f9f9f9
!mph
!km/h
|-
|[[British Rail Class 150|150 ''Sprinter'']]
|[[File:150121 at Kidderminster.JPG|100px]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]]
| rowspan="3" |75
| rowspan="3" |120
|29×&nbsp;2&nbsp;car
9×&nbsp;3&nbsp;car
|Some [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive|Centro]] services.
Dorridge/Shirley/Stratford Upon Avon/Leamington Spa – Worcester/Great Malvern/Hereford.
Some non Centro routes
Crewe to Skegness, Derby to Matlock and Nottingham to Worksop
|1984–1987
|-
|[[British Rail Class 153|153 ''Super Sprinter'']]
|[[File:153385 at Nottingham.JPG|100px]]
|21
|Lincolnshire and Mid Wales rural services, Stourbridge branch line, Skegness to Crewe & Derby to Matlock and Nottingham to Birmingham New Street/Shrewsbury via Derby
|1987–1988
|-
|[[British Rail Class 156|156 ''Super Sprinter'']]
|[[File:156408 at Cambridge.jpg|100px]]
|20
|Aberystwyth and Chester to Birmingham New Street, Hereford to Birmingham New Street, Birmingham New Street to Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln Central & Grimsby Town, Nottingham to Worksop, Crewe to Skegness.
|1987–1989
|-
|[[British Rail Class 158|158 ''Express Sprinter'']]
|[[File:158751 at Westbury.JPG|100px]]
|90
|145
|36
|Norwich to Liverpool, Stansted to Birmingham, Nottingham to Cardiff, Grimsby to Birmingham, Birmingham to Liverpool
|1989–1992
|-
|[[British Rail Class 310|310]]
|[[File:310-blue-Harrow&Wealdstone2.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
|75
|121
|10
|rowspan="2"|Already being withdrawn at privatisation, remained as backup for the newly introduced Class 323.
|1966
|-
|[[British Rail Class 312|312]]
|[[File:312-seen-out-train-window.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" |90
| rowspan="2" |145
|4
|1976
|-
|[[British Rail Class 323|323]]
|[[File:Aston railway station - 2007-09-25.jpg|100px]]
|26
|Cross City Line
|1992–1995
|}

=== Fleet at end of franchise ===
By the final months of the franchise, Central Trains had a significantly more modern fleet.<ref name="Junction2007" /> It was also supplementing its fleet with [[British Rail Class 321|Class 321]] and new [[British Rail Class 350|Class 350]] electric trains shared with sister company [[Silverlink]].
{| class="wikitable"
|----- bgcolor=#f9f9f9
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Usual routes operated
! rowspan="2" |Built
|----- bgcolor=#f9f9f9
!mph
!km/h
|-
|[[British Rail Class 150|150 ''Sprinter'']]
|[[File:150014 Birmingham MS 2007.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]]
| rowspan="3" |75
| rowspan="3" |120
|18×&nbsp;2&nbsp;car
18×&nbsp;3&nbsp;car
|Non-electric services for Network West Midlands, plus some services to Worcester, Malvern and Hereford.
|1984–1987
|-
|[[British Rail Class 153|153 ''Super Sprinter'']]
|[[File:HPIM0808.JPG|100px]]
|16
|Lincolnshire rural services, Coventry–Nuneaton and Stourbridge branch line.
|1987–1988
|-
|[[British Rail Class 156|156 ''Super Sprinter'']]
|[[File:156403 at Birmingham New Street 01.jpg|100px]]
|10
|Middle-distance services, mainly in the East Midlands.
|1987–1989
|-
|[[British Rail Class 158|158 ''Express Sprinter'']]
|[[File:158788 at Cambridge.jpg|100px]]
|90
|145
|13×&nbsp;2&nbsp;car
8×&nbsp;3&nbsp;car
|Middle-distance services and some Citylink duties.
|1989–1992
|-
|[[British Rail Class 170|170 ''Turbostar'']]
|[[File:Cambridge-170507-02.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="2" |100
| rowspan="2" |160
|31×&nbsp;2&nbsp;car
22×&nbsp;3&nbsp;car
|Citylink services and general use across the franchise area.
|1999–2002
|-
|[[British Rail Class 321|321]]
|[[File:321411 B Watford Junction.JPG|100px]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
|37 (Shared with [[Silverlink]])
|Birmingham – Northampton
|1990–1991
|-
|[[British Rail Class 323|323]]
|[[File:Aston railway station - 2007-09-25.jpg|100px]]
|90
|145
|26
|[[Cross City Line]]
|1992–1995
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[British Rail Class 350|350/1 Desiro]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:350121 at Birmingham New Street 01.jpg|100px]]
|100
|160
|30 (Shared with [[Silverlink]])
|Electrified Citylink services from Birmingham
|2004–2005
|-
| colspan="5" |[[File:CT SL Class 350-1 w-pantograph.png|851x851px]]
|}

== Franchise cessation ==
In October 2004, the Department for Transport unveiled plans designed to streamline rail franchises which included the abolition of the Central Trains franchise and the transfer of its services to other operators.<ref name="dft-oct04">{{cite web|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/railfranchisingarrangementso5945 |title=Rail franchising arrangements, October 2004 |publisher=Department for Transport |access-date=19 May 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070808043318/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/railfranchisingarrangementso5945 |archive-date=8 August 2007 }}</ref> It was announced that the franchise would end in April 2007, although there was a later extension until November 2007<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4865310.stm|title=Central Trains franchise extended|publisher=BBC News|date=2 April 2006|access-date=28 January 2007}}</ref>).

On 11 November 2007, Central Trains ceased to exist and its services transferred to three new train operating companies:
* Local and urban services around the West Midlands were merged with former [[Silverlink]] Country services to form [[London Midland]]
* The Liverpool – Nottingham – Norwich service (which had been threatened with a split<ref>{{cite news|title='Nottingham split' scrapped, but hourly Norwich – Liverpool service under threat |url=http://www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk/news_jul-aug06.html |publisher=The Norfolk Railway Society |date=July–August 2006 |access-date=28 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310205240/http://www.norfolkrailwaysociety.org.uk/news_jul-aug06.html |archive-date=10 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) and local trains in the East Midlands were combined with [[Midland Mainline (train operating company)|Midland Mainline]] services to form [[East Midlands Trains]]
* The Cardiff – Birmingham – Nottingham and Birmingham – [[Stansted Airport]] Citylink services, were merged with former [[Virgin CrossCountry]] services (minus Birmingham/Manchester to Scotland services) to form [[CrossCountry]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite magazine|title=Central to your Journey...|first=Steven|last=Knight|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]]|issue=317|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=5–18 November 1997|pages=30–32|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Central Trains}}
* [http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/ National Express Group website]

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|rows=3|before=[[Regional Railways]]<br /><small>As part of [[British Rail]]</small>}}
{{S-ttl|rows=3|title=Operator of Central Trains franchise
|years=1997–2007}}
{{S-aft|after=[[CrossCountry]]<br /><small>New CrossCountry franchise</small>}}
{{s-break}}
{{S-aft|after=[[London Midland]]<br /><small>West Midlands franchise</small>}}
{{s-break}}
{{S-aft|after=[[East Midlands Trains]]<br /><small>East Midlands franchise</small>}}
{{s-end}}
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}}
{{NEXG}}

[[Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Mobico Group]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Railway companies disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2007 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 2007]]