Greater Anglia to operate a ‘Class 321 Farewell’ charity fundraising charter
will run a ‘Class 321 Farewell’ charity charter April 29 to commemorate the forthcoming withdrawal of the final Class 321s still in use with the operator.
The charter will raise funds for three charities relevant to the Greater Anglia operating area, these being East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Havens Hospices and the Railway Mission.
The charter will run from London Liverpool Street to Clacton, Walton, Harwich Town, Stowmarket, back to Shenfield, to Southend Victoria and finally back to London Liverpool Street, covering many of the core routes that the Class 321s have been closely associated with for much of their working life. The trip will also include journeys over a number of loops and sections of track not normally used by scheduled passenger trains. The train is scheduled to depart from London Liverpool Street at 09.40, with the return to the station expected to be at 18.57. Tickets are priced at £70 for passengers aged over 16 and £35 for children aged 5–15, and all profits from the event will be shared between the three charities.
The train will not have any on-board catering, but passengers can bring their own refreshments or take advantage of a 50-minute break in Clacton.
Greater Anglia’s head of corporate affairs, Jonathan Denby, said: “We are pleased to be running this special ‘Class 321 Farewell’ trip to mark their impending withdrawal as the full roll -out of new trains on to every single Greater Anglia service gets nearer and nearer.
“We are glad to be raising funds for three charities with strong links to the Greater Anglia network.
“They are all extremely worthwhile causes focused on the region we serve and supported by many of our employees.
“Taking in routes which have been synonymous with Class 321s throughout their life, we hope the trip will be very popular and generate an impressive contribution to EACH, Havens Hospices and Railway Mission funds.
“It promises to be a great day out for all involved.”
Unfortunately, the charter clashes with one being organised by the Branch Line Society and Southern to commemorate the forthcoming withdrawal of the last Class 313s on Southern’s Coastway services, which is also due to take place on April 29 (see page 8).
Bookings for the charter can only be made online at https://railplus. greateranglia.co.uk/class-321-farewell-charity-train-event.html