Banbury centenarian enjoys First Class train journey to mark 100th birthday
Christopher Price celebrates milestone with special trip organised by CrossCountry
A Banbury-based railway enthusiast celebrated his 100th birthday with a First Class day trip to mark the occasion, organised by train operator CrossCountry.
Christopher Price, who turned 100 in October, travelled from Banbury to Manchester on Thursday (11th December) with family members in tow to enjoy his milestone journey.
Born in Birmingham on 25th October 1923, Mr Price has been passionate about trains for much of his life, opting to live near a railway station in Shropshire, from where he continues to make frequent journeys to Banbury and beyond.
The centenarian’s love for rail dates back to his formative years, when he studied engineering amidst the backdrop of the Second World War.
After spending time in India and Malaya as a Royal Engineer, Mr Price returned to Cambridge and worked as a Chartered Surveyor in various cities, including London and Birmingham. Throughout his career, rail travel remained integral to his professional and personal life.
"I moved home in my 80s and the number one objective was to live near a railway station," Mr Price said. "From my house, I can see the local station across the fields."
He added: "I find railway staff, and fellow passengers, invariably helpful in allowing me to pursue my love of trains by travelling frequently to see friends and relatives, and attend events. It is very apt for me to celebrate my centenary with another journey - and, I must say, CrossCountry sandwiches happen to be some of the best I've tried.”
Special day organised by CrossCountry
CrossCountry, one of Britain’s leading long-distance train operators, arranged the journey to help Mr Price mark his birthday.
Mark Anderson, Customer and Commercial Director of CrossCountry, said: “We’re delighted to help Mr Price celebrate such an incredible milestone. His advocacy for the railway and the opportunities it can give people is incredibly inspiring, and we’re proud to be part of his special day.”
With his 100 years of life, Mr Price is half as old as the world’s first passenger railway, which opened between Stockton and Darlington in 1825.
Today, he continues to travel frequently by train from his home in Bucknell, changing at Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton to visit various destinations including Banbury.