THAMESLINK - operated by Govia Thameslink Railway between Bedford, Brighton, Wimbledon, Sutton and Sevenoaks - has reached a major milestone in its transformation of the railway by replacing the last of the 29-year-old Class 319 train fleet with modern Class 700 trains.
On Sunday the two were coupled together as an eight-carriage service to make the final southbound journey.
The train left Bedford on time at 3.06pm with a salute from the drivers and a blast on the horn as the train left the station with a small commemorative headboard fitted to the front.
Greeted by a crowd of enthusiasts at Brighton, the same train then left the seaside resort full and standing at 6.14pm as passengers, enthusiasts and staff alike travelled on its last-ever Thameslink journey.
The train arrived at Bedford on time at 8.59pm.
The Class 319 train was introduced in 1988 when the cross-London Thameslink route was reopened to passenger traffic, creating a new route between Bedford and Brighton.
It was designed to operate using both the overhead power lines north of London and the electric third rail to the south.
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