Attempt to break the record for the fastest train journey between London and Glasgow FAILS

An attempt to break the 36-year-old record for the fastest train journey between London and Glasgow failed by just 21 seconds.

Avanti West Coast’s Royal Scot train arrived at Glasgow Central three hours, 53 minutes and one second after its departure from London Euston, according to the operator.

The firm wrote on Twitter: ‘In the words of So Solid Crew, we missed it by 21 seconds.’

Rail expert Mark Smith, who was on board, said a temporary speed limit on the track at Carstairs, South Lanarkshire, ‘cost us 90 seconds’.

He added: ‘It was a known risk but they thought we could still do it. But it’s still the fastest train I’ve ever taken from London to Scotland.’

The nine-carriage Pendolino train travelled at an average speed of 103mph on the 401-mile route. The maximum permitted speed on Britain’s mainline railway is 125mph.

Avanti West Coast’s Royal Scot train arrived at Glasgow Central three hours, 53 minutes and one second after its departure from London Euston, according to the operator. Pictured: Driver Neil Barker looks at his watch on board the train after it arrived at Glasgow too late to break the record

Rail expert Mark Smith, who was on board, said a temporary speed limit on the track at Carstairs, South Lanarkshire, 'cost us 90 seconds'. Pictured: Train enthusiast Peter Waterman stands on the platform discussing the record attempt with driver Neil Barker after the failed record attempt

Rail expert Mark Smith, who was on board, said a temporary speed limit on the track at Carstairs, South Lanarkshire, ‘cost us 90 seconds’. Pictured: Train enthusiast Peter Waterman stands on the platform discussing the record attempt with driver Neil Barker after the failed record attempt

The nine-carriage Pendolino train travelled at an average speed of 103mph on the 401-mile route. The maximum permitted speed on Britain's mainline railway is 125mph. Pictured: A piper walks the platform alongside the Avanti West Coast Class 390 EMU train as it arrives at Glasgow Central

The nine-carriage Pendolino train travelled at an average speed of 103mph on the 401-mile route. The maximum permitted speed on Britain’s mainline railway is 125mph. Pictured: A piper walks the platform alongside the Avanti West Coast Class 390 EMU train as it arrives at Glasgow Central 

Phil Whittingham, managing director of Avanti West Coast, said: 'While we're disappointed we've not broken the record today, we are proud to have worked with industry partners to showcase the vital role rail can play in enabling cleaner, greener travel and connectivity across the United Kingdom'. The Pendolinos were intended to run at service speeds of up to 140mph. Railtrack then embarked on a modernisation of the West Coast Main Line to allow for the faster line speeds but the programme ran into serious difficulties and was left unfinished after it ran over budget

Phil Whittingham, managing director of Avanti West Coast, said: ‘While we’re disappointed we’ve not broken the record today, we are proud to have worked with industry partners to showcase the vital role rail can play in enabling cleaner, greener travel and connectivity across the United Kingdom’. The Pendolinos were intended to run at service speeds of up to 140mph. Railtrack then embarked on a modernisation of the West Coast Main Line to allow for the faster line speeds but the programme ran into serious difficulties and was left unfinished after it ran over budget

The failure means the record remains three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds, set by a British Rail prototype Advanced Passenger Train in December 1984.

Phil Whittingham, managing director of Avanti West Coast, said: ‘While we’re disappointed we’ve not broken the record today, we are proud to have worked with industry partners to showcase the vital role rail can play in enabling cleaner, greener travel and connectivity across the United Kingdom.

‘We want to connect people and places to opportunity, so we’re pleased to champion the railway’s part in this with our record attempt, while supporting Action for Children and Railway Benefit Fund whose work supports families and individuals along our route.’

Avanti West Coast collaborated with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train’s path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line.

The train carried rail industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine, who made a charitable donation.

The money raised will go towards Avanti West Coast’s charity partner, Action for Children, and the Railway Benefit Fund, which supports people involved in the railway and their families.  

Avanti West Coast collaborated with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train's path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line. Pictured: The last passengers climb on board the train before it departs from London Euston

Avanti West Coast collaborated with Government-owned Network Rail, which manages rail infrastructure, to plot the train’s path around passenger and freight services on the West Coast Main Line. Pictured: The last passengers climb on board the train before it departs from London Euston

The train carried rail industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine, who made a charitable donation. The money raised will go towards Avanti West Coast's charity partner, Action for Children, and the Railway Benefit Fund, which supports people involved in the railway and their families. Pictured: Train enthusiast Pete Waterman and train driver Neil Barker

The train carried rail industry VIPs and subscribers to The Railway Magazine, who made a charitable donation. The money raised will go towards Avanti West Coast’s charity partner, Action for Children, and the Railway Benefit Fund, which supports people involved in the railway and their families. Pictured: Train enthusiast Pete Waterman and train driver Neil Barker

The Pendolino is a high-speed electric multiple unit train, which incorporates Fiat Ferroviaria's tilting train Pendolino technology. According to Ian Scoley of the design firm Priestman Goode, the design of the Pendolino is 'more reminiscent of an aircraft than a train'. Pictured: Train driver Neil Barker

The Pendolino is a high-speed electric multiple unit train, which incorporates Fiat Ferroviaria’s tilting train Pendolino technology. According to Ian Scoley of the design firm Priestman Goode, the design of the Pendolino is ‘more reminiscent of an aircraft than a train’. Pictured: Train driver Neil Barker 

Before the departure of the train from London Euston at 10.36am, Avanti West Coast said it was attempting to set a new record to highlight ‘the ease of travelling between the home nations’. 

Royal Scot ran at 125mph – the maximum permitted speed on Britain’s mainline railway – for as much of the 401-mile (645km) route as possible.

Before the train set off Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘After almost 40 years it’s time for this record to be broken, and I wish everyone the best of luck as they attempt this impressive feat.

‘Our rail network binds our Union together, and today’s attempt underlines why our clean, green railways is a great way to see the UK.’

Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy said the event is a ‘brilliant collaboration across the railway industry’.

He added: ‘It shows how the clean, green railway of today can cement economic growth, jobs, housing and social cohesion through better connectivity across the United Kingdom.’

A nine-carriage Pendolino reportedly weighs around 471 tonnes, which is equivalent to a dozen fully laden lorries. Pictured: A piper plays outside the train while train driver Neil Barker gives a thumbs up while on board

A nine-carriage Pendolino reportedly weighs around 471 tonnes, which is equivalent to a dozen fully laden lorries. Pictured: A piper plays outside the train while train driver Neil Barker gives a thumbs up while on board 

Before the departure of the train from London Euston at 10.36am, Avanti West Coast said it was attempting to set a new record to highlight 'the ease of travelling between the home nations'. Royal Scot ran at 125mph - the maximum permitted speed on Britain's mainline railway - for as much of the 401-mile (645km) route as possible. Pictured: Train enthusiast Pete Waterman pretends to cry while standing next to train driver Neil Barker

Before the departure of the train from London Euston at 10.36am, Avanti West Coast said it was attempting to set a new record to highlight ‘the ease of travelling between the home nations’. Royal Scot ran at 125mph – the maximum permitted speed on Britain’s mainline railway – for as much of the 401-mile (645km) route as possible. Pictured: Train enthusiast Pete Waterman pretends to cry while standing next to train driver Neil Barker 

The nose of the Pendolino is manufactured out of composite materials and moulded in a similar fashion as has been used to produce the shells of racing cars. Pictured: Operations manager Ian Meredith stands beside the Avanti West Coast Class 390 EMU train ahead of its departue from London Euston

The nose of the Pendolino is manufactured out of composite materials and moulded in a similar fashion as has been used to produce the shells of racing cars. Pictured: Operations manager Ian Meredith stands beside the Avanti West Coast Class 390 EMU train ahead of its departue from London Euston

Sir Peter has been asked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to examine how UK transport links can be improved, and will publish his final report this summer.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of Avanti West Coast’s parent company, First Rail, said the record attempt ‘shows how effectively rail can deliver cross-border connectivity’.

He added that trains have an ‘essential role’ in connecting major cities, driving economic growth and combating climate change.

The Railway Performance Society is the official timekeeper for the record attempt.