An Edinburgh train carriage ended up becoming an 'overnight hotel' this week after passengers were stranded following their visit to see the Queen lie in rest.
Thousands had flocked to the city centre on Monday to watch Her Majesty's coffin in a procession from Holyrood to St Giles' Cathedral, before many more waited hours to see it for themselves inside.
With people heading to the capital from all over the country, the long wait to see the Queen lie in rest had meant that many missed their travel services home, leaving them stranded in the city centre.
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However, in a bid to do their part, Cross Country had turned one of their carriages at Waverley Station into an emergency hotel, welcoming in anyone that needed somewhere to stay.
Stabling an entire train, the travel operator allowed members of the public to wait inside for their early morning services, and also served up hot drinks and sandwiches for passengers.
Holding the train on Platform Four from 11.45pm, customers and staff on the train spent the night sharing their memories and stories of the Queen.
Throughout the evening, there was a driver and engineer on the train as well as a train manager, catering and customer service colleagues to provide support for anyone who needed it.
In addition, LNER, Scotrail, National Rail and British Transport Police increased their staff presence to support passengers with their onward journeys.
CrossCountry Managing Director, Tom Joyner, said: “CrossCountry was honoured to be able to play a small part in supporting passengers who had travelled up to Edinburgh to pay their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The train acted as a welcoming space for people to wait and seek refreshments before continuing their journeys the following morning. As a cross-border operator, running services across Great Britain, we were proud to be able to help at this significant time for our nation.”
The following morning the train returned to Craigentinny for a refuel and clean before continuing with its usual 0806 departure from Edinburgh to Plymouth.
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