Virgin Trains Ticketing Honours Cornwall’s Rail Pioneer Richard Trevithick with Free Travel for Descendants

In a grand gesture to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the world’s first railway journey, Virgin Trains Ticketing has announced an exclusive offer for the descendants of Cornwall’s own Richard Trevithick, the pioneering engineer behind this historic feat. The offer, aimed at celebrating Trevithick’s monumental contributions to the railway industry, invites anyone bearing the surname Trevithick to enjoy three months of free train travel across Great Britain.

On February 21, 1804, Richard Trevithick, hailing from Camborne, Cornwall, revolutionised transportation by conducting the first-ever railway journey in South Wales. Despite this groundbreaking achievement, a recent study of 2,000 UK adults revealed that Trevithick’s name and legacy are not as widely recogniseds as they deserve, with only 22% of respondents aware of his pivotal role in the development of steam railway travel.

Virgin Trains Ticketing is determined to rectify this oversight by highlighting Trevithick’s ingenuity and impact on the British Industrial Revolution. Mark Plowright, Director at Virgin Trains Ticketing, emphasised the importance of acknowledging Trevithick’s contributions: “Richard Trevithick was a true trailblazer whose work laid the groundwork for future railway advancements. It’s crucial that we honour his legacy and the significant role he played in our nation’s history”.

The promotion is part of a broader initiative by Virgin Trains Ticketing to not only celebrate British rail pioneers but also to educate the public about their contributions. According to findings, a staggering 74% of those surveyed believe Trevithick does not receive the recognition he deserves, with a similar number advocating for increased awareness and education about British engineering pioneers and their roles in rail travel development.

In addition to offering free travel to Trevithick’s descendants, Virgin Trains Ticketing aims to foster a deeper appreciation for railway history through its collaboration with Ancestry. This partnership encourages the exploration of railway records and family connections to the industry, potentially uncovering previously unknown ties to Richard Trevithick himself.

Virgin Trains Ticketing also continues to innovate in the realm of train travel, offering rewards like Virgin Points for ticket purchases through its app, which can be used for discounts on future travel, along with split ticket options and no booking fees, saving customers over £400,000 to date.

Descendants of Richard Trevithick are invited to claim their free travel by emailing trevithick@virgin.com with a photo of their ID by March 6, 2024, as part of the terms and conditions of this unique offer. Other terms and conditions apply; contact Virgin Trains Ticketing for full details.

As Virgin Trains Ticketing honours Richard Trevithick’s legacy, it is a reminder of the enduring impact of Cornwall’s engineering genius on Britain’s railway history and the ongoing journey of innovation and discovery in rail travel.

For more information on Virgin Trains Ticketing and to start earning, head to https://virgintrainsticketing.com/.

The History Of Trains