Virgin Trains names train after Scottish cultural icon Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Monday, March 19, 2018

Virgin Trains has named one of its trains after one of Scotland’s most famous cultural icons in celebration of its role in serving Glasgow.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Express will depart Scotland’s biggest city today (Monday, March 19) in support of Mackintosh 150, a year-long programme of events throughout 2018 celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Glasgow’s renowned artist, architect and designer.

The 390008 Pendolino train, adorned with Mackintosh’s trademark moustache on the front and his name displayed in his own lettering on plaques on either side, arrived into Glasgow Central Station at 09.45am this morning.

Its nameplate was unveiled by Michael Stewart, Virgin Trains’ General Manager for Scotland on the west coast route, and Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council.Virgin Trains’ customers across the west coast route are being encouraged to take photos of themselves while standing on the platform next to the moustache or nameplate. They can find out where the Mack Express will be on any particular day by tweeting the @VirginTrains team with the #trackthemack hashtag.

Passengers who take the best selfies with the train will be eligible to win two First Class return tickets for travel from London, Birmingham or Preston to Glasgow between April 16 and June 30 and free entry to a major new Mackintosh exhibition taking place in the city.

It is the first time in nearly 15 years that Virgin Trains has named a train in Scotland on its west coast route. Two other trains have previously been named after Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the first in 1982 and the second in 1996, shortly before Virgin Trains took over services between Glasgow and London.

The last train named after the Glasgow artist was withdrawn from service when Virgin introduced its fleet of tilting Pendolino and Super Voyager trains, allowing regular journey times between Glasgow and London to be cut from more than five hours to 4hr32min.

Mackintosh 150 is being co-ordinated by Mackintosh heritage partners from across Glasgow and beyond.

As well as commemorating his remarkable achievements and creative genius as an architect, artist and designer, Mackintosh 150 provides a focal point in safeguarding Mackintosh legacy for future generations, inspiring more young people to take an interest in art and design and promoting his unique portfolio for visitors and tourists.

Indeed, the significance of Charles Rennie Mackintosh has been identified as one of the key drivers of the Glasgow Tourism and Visitor Plan to 2023, which aims to grow the city’s economy by increasing overnight leisure tourism visits by one million over the next six years.

Born in Glasgow on June 7th 1868, Mackintosh is considered one of the principal exponents of the Glasgow Style. He went on to be regarded as one of the most creative figures of the 20th century and a leading figure in both the Scottish Arts and Crafts Movement and European Art Nouveau.

Glasgow is home to the world’s pre-eminent collection of Mackintosh buildings, drawings and designs, which can be explored at venues across the city as well as at two key attractions in nearby Helensburgh.

Michael Stewart, General Manager for the west coast route,said the train naming celebrated Virgin Trains’ role in serving Scotland’s biggest city: “Virgin Trains has served Glasgow for more than 20 years and it’s fitting that we are naming one of our trains after one of the city’s most famous sons. We hope people get involved with this right across our west coast route as the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Express goes on tour.”

Councillor David McDonald, the Chair of Glasgow Life and Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is part of the very fabric of Glasgow and his buildings, art and design are of international importance; attracting tourists from across the world to our city.

“I’m delighted that Virgin Trains is lending its support to our Mackintosh 150 programme and the wonderful Charles Rennie Mackintosh Express will provide a fitting way for passengers travelling to Glasgow this year to join us in celebrating the incredible genius of Mackintosh.”

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