LUCKY passengers made an historic train journey from Brighouse to London.

They created a little piece of history as a rail link to the capital ran for the first time in decades.

Among the special guests onboard Grand Central’s new West Riding Service were Geraldine and Christopher Smith, who run The Station Buffet at Huddersfield railway station.

The train left at 10.50am and pulled into Kings Cross at 1.45.

Geraldine, from Dalton, told the Examiner: “It was so quick down to London and was an absolutely fabulous trip, we really enjoyed it. We’ve been waited on hand and foot – it’s a first class service on board.”

From Brighouse the journey to King’s Cross station takes just under three hours, with the train reaching speeds of 125 mph.

Geraldine said: “Our children have been harping on about going down to London for a weekend away.

“So we thought we’d have a trial run and see what it was like and see if it would be an okay journey to make with the kids. We’d definitely do it now because it’s so quick and easy.”

Geraldine and Christopher have seven-year-old twins Luke and Elise, who are pupils at St Joseph’s Primary School.

The 42-year-old mum said: “The train is great for families, and there’s even games to keep the kids amused. They’ve got children’s board games like Ludo inlaid into the tables and you just ask the staff for the pieces if you want to play. The adults can plug in their computers and there’s WiFi.”

The distinctive black and orange Grand Central trains will become a familiar sight at Brighouse, with six services coming in and out of the station each weekday.

Geraldine said: “The trains are very distinctive. The nose is really different from usual trains, it’s pretty impressive and it makes it look like a stealth plane.

“A lot of trains have their numbers printed on the side but these ones don’t, so I think the train spotters are going to have a bit of a problem!”

Among other special guests travelling on the first service was Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper.

A chaplain even boarded at London to bless the train.

The service will be open to the public this Sunday, May 23.

Starting at Bradford, the West Riding Service calls at Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract Monkhill and Doncaster.