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Thomas Cook train to mark 175th year since first excursion Thomas Cook steam train marks 175th year since first excursion
(about 20 hours later)
The man who gave his name to travel firm Thomas Cook will be remembered at an event marking its 175th anniversary. The man who gave his name to travel firm Thomas Cook has been remembered at an event marking its 175th anniversary.
The company is running a steam train to mark its first-ever excursion organised by Mr Cook in the mid-19th Century. The company ran a steam train to mark its first-ever excursion organised by Mr Cook.
It was 1841 when Mr Cook, a cabinet maker, arranged for a train to take 500 people at a shilling a head the 12 miles from Leicester to Loughborough. It was 1841 when Mr Cook, a cabinet maker, arranged for a train to take 500 people at a shilling a head on the 12 miles from Leicester to Loughborough.
Ex-Baptist preacher Mr Cook wanted people to attend a temperance meeting, which promoted abstinence from alcohol.Ex-Baptist preacher Mr Cook wanted people to attend a temperance meeting, which promoted abstinence from alcohol.
Mr Cook, who was born in Melbourne, Derbyshire, said he did not start the company to make money - yet the firm's annual report in 2015 stated that it had 20m customers, 21,813 staff and sales of £7.8bn. Born in Melbourne, Derbyshire, he said he did not start the company to make money - yet the firm's annual report in 2015 stated that it had 20m customers, 21,813 staff and sales of £7.8bn.
Paul Smith, the company's archivist, said: "He wasn't in it for the money; it was very much this idea of moral and social improvement.Paul Smith, the company's archivist, said: "He wasn't in it for the money; it was very much this idea of moral and social improvement.
"Thomas's idea was to approach the Midland Counties Railway and say if they halved their price, he could guarantee twice as many people would travel."Thomas's idea was to approach the Midland Counties Railway and say if they halved their price, he could guarantee twice as many people would travel.
"It was all about trying to negotiate with transport providers and later hotels to offer cheaper prices so that more people could experience travel.""It was all about trying to negotiate with transport providers and later hotels to offer cheaper prices so that more people could experience travel."
Mr Smith said it was Thomas' son John who was more "commercially minded" and later "internationalised" the company with offices in the US, Egypt and India. Mr Smith said it was Thomas Cook's son John who was more "commercially minded" and later "internationalised" the company with offices in the US, Egypt and India.
He added: "[Thomas Cook would] be amazed and quite surprised his name is still around and adorns all of these shops, brochures and aeroplanes, and I'm sure he'd be very proud of his part in it."He added: "[Thomas Cook would] be amazed and quite surprised his name is still around and adorns all of these shops, brochures and aeroplanes, and I'm sure he'd be very proud of his part in it."
To celebrate the milestone, Leicester railway station staff sold tickets to Loughborough for five pence (one shilling) to the first 175 passengers travelling after 10:00 BST on Tuesday.
Leicester's mayor Peter Soulsby also laid flowers at Thomas Cook's statue and launched a new walking trial for visitors to the city.
Thomas Cook (1808-1892)Thomas Cook (1808-1892)
Source: Thomas Cook 175Source: Thomas Cook 175