Two decades of campaigning will bear fruit later this month when an hourly rail service is launched at Corby, Northamptonshire.

The town was famous for years as one of the biggest towns in Britain not to be served by rail.

Today (8 April 2009) Railfuture East Midlands announced that it was delighted by a decision of East Midlands Trains to introduce an hourly passenger rail service to Corby on Monday 27 April.

"This is the reward for the efforts of so many of Corby's citizens who got behind the campaign to reopen the station," said David Fursdon of Railfuture.

"Our campaign gained the support of the North Northants Development Company, the borough and county councils, East Midlands Trains, Network Rail and Phil Hope MP."

Corby's new station opened on 23 February but with only one return service from Corby to London St Pancras International.

"It has been well used but at the same time has been restrictive for passengers wanting flexibility with their journeys," said Mr Fursdon.

"I understand EMT will be introducing a more realistic fare structure from Corby and are looking for someone to run a refreshment service at the station which has been requested by many members of the public already."

Mr Fursdon said staff at Corby station were doing a great job.

"They have all the information to help you plan travel arrangements, purchase tickets and railcards," he said.

Railfuture is pleased the introduction of the hourly service will be marked by an opening ceremony arranged by EMT on 27 April enabling the public to be present at an historic moment in the town's regeneration.

Melton Mowbray and Oakham are also expected to get one return service a day (Mon-Fri) to London via Corby from the same date.

Railfuture is keen to see other services developing.

Direct passenger rail from Melton and Oakham to the Capital ended in the 1960s.

The route to Corby from these towns crosses the famous 82-arch Harringworth viaduct, the longest spanning a valley in the United Kingdom.

Information from David Fursdon davidfursdon at amserve.com

More info: East Midlands Trains