The UK's longest train journey, the CrossCountry Aberdeen to Penzance service covering 775 miles, was axed in 2025. First introduced in 1921, this route departed Aberdeen at 8:20am and was due to reach Penzance over 13 hours later at 9:31pm, calling at multiple British cities including York, Leeds, and Birmingham.

The service made its final journey on 16 May, after CrossCountryannounced it was withdrawing the route to provide a "more efficient service" for passengers and staff. In its place came a new shorter service, lasting 11 and a half hours and ending in Plymouth instead of continuing to Penzance.

On its last day of operation, rail enthusiasts from across the country travelled to Aberdeen to experience the complete journey.

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Speaking to the BBC, one such enthusiast, John Labrow, said: "It's probably the longest journey I've ever done by train, it's the last of a great era. It's a privilege."

Meanwhile, train driver Martin Wallace, who was allocated to the route in 2024, told the broadcaster he was thrilled to be driving it for the final time: "It's very exciting, isn't it. The last voyage."

Taking more than 13 hours, it's thought that at least two of these were actually spent waiting for passengers to board and disembark at the 36 stops throughout the journey.

Announcing the termination of the route back in 2025, a representative for CrossCountry stated: "Amending our Aberdeen to Penzance service from May 2025 will mean a more efficient timetable for our train crews and a more convenient service for our customers, making a day trip from Bristol and the west of England to Penzance more viable.

"The new timetable will also deliver an additional service in each direction between Glasgow and the North East of England towards Birmingham."

Following the discontinuation of this service, it's believed that the UK's longest direct train service is now the Caledonian Sleeper's overnight train from London Euston to Fort William, which takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes.