A new Radio Four comedy series with comedian, actor and author Alexei Sayle called ‘Strangers on a Train’ will feature Avanti West Coast routes. In the series Alexei interviews people travelling on the train around the UK.

During the series, Alexei enjoys days out using Avanti West Coast services to Glasgow and Holyhead. Train users share their stories in the six programme series, which will be aired in July and August on Sunday evenings.

He discusses with fellow passengers their lives, destinations and dreams and shares memories and stories about familiar towns and cities from both his career and childhood.

One of the episodes sees Alexei travel from London to Glasgow, meeting a range of people, including people on holiday who just fulfilled a lifetime dream. He also talked to another person who had come from his public speaking club to overcome their extreme shyness.

He also travels from London to Holyhead and encounters an actor and musician on his way to Llandudno.

Mark Green, who is Station Manager for Avanti West Coast at Penrith, is also featured in the programme and shares some of his memories from his time on the railway.

“It was great to sit down and chat with Alexei,” says Mark. “It’s clear he has a passion for travelling by train and that shone through in all his conversations with fellow travellers. It reinforced just how important the industry is to a whole host of people, all from different backgrounds and with their own story to tell.”