01 Apr 2025
Today sees the launch of ‘The Cathedral Line’, the new name for the railway connecting Watford with St Albans.
The original rail connection into St Albans was formerly known as the Abbey Line.
“We are simply matching the way that St Albans Cathedral rebranded itself by dropping the fuddy-duddy Abbey title,” explained Sandy Walkington, chair of the line’s community rail partnership.
“Just as the Cathedral recognised that they get more tourists by calling themselves a cathedral, so too we hope more people will want to travel on Britain’s only Cathedral Line.
Of course it means that the station at the bottom of Holywell Hill is from today renamed St Albans Cathedral.
Discussions are now taking place with Watford Borough Council about their plans to apply for city status under the imminent local government reorganisation. This will allow the much under-rated Watford Parish Church of St Mary to be rebranded as a cathedral, ensuring there is a cathedral at each end of the Cathedral Line.
Early stage talks are also underway with London Northwestern Railway, the train operator, about converting a carriage on the rebranded Cathedral Flyer to be a restaurant car because of the expected increase in tourist numbers. In partnership with Bricket Wood Station tea room, continental breakfast and afternoon tea will be offered to rush hour commuters.
“This rebranding is a win-win for everyone,” said Miss Lipa Roflo, the newly appointed community rail officer for the Cathedral Line Community Rail Partnership.
“Our line will offer even more of a Rolls-Royce experience for travellers, unlike the soulless trains running from St Albans to St Pancras. It can only be a tremendous boost to the tourist offers of both St Albans and Watford.”
Photos by Lee Wood of Ember Designs
Of course this was an April Fool… Worth considering though eh?
