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New Corby rail service up and running - see the video here - 5.25pm update
A full train timetable for Corby should be up-and-running by April.
The good news came today as the first London-bound train in 40 years pulled out of the town's station.
The interim Business Express service rolled out of the futuristic station bang on time at 6.37am to cheers of joy.
One train will leave and arrive at the station each day until enough rolling stock can be secured by East Midlands Trains to run a full hourly service.
And civic leaders are confident the maiden voyage will mark a new chapter in Corby's history.
Borough council chief executive Chris Mallender said it made Corby a commuter town and could now be known as "North Londonshire".
Managing director of East Midlands Trains Tim Shoveller said: "For Corby this is fantastic news.
"This is a taster to the full service that we are hoping to start late in April. We need to secure one more train to run the hourly service.
"When you arrive at the station and see it full it's great."
About 80 passengers enjoyed the maiden journey.
Among the happy passengers were enthusiasts, commuters and sightseers.
Some got off at Kettering while others made the full journey to St Pancras station.
A return service for rush hour commuters left London at 6pm, scheduled to arrive back at 7.19pm.
Deputy leader of Corby Council Mark Pengelly said: "This is another great milestone for Corby.
"It means the town is now 70 minutes away from London and three hours from central Europe.
"A cinema for the town is the next project we're aiming for."
Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Phil Hope, who has campaigned for the station for 10 years, said: "This is a real landmark for us as a town.
"We're confident we'll get the full service soon after final negotiations.
"At the full official opening we'll have ribbons and hopefully the Minister for Transport will come because government backing for this scheme has been critical to its success."
He said the rail link to the rest of the country will help Corby weather the storm in the global economic recession and was confident people would be attracted to Corby to live and commute.
Plans are already in place for a walkway and cycle route to link the station in the Old Village with the town centre.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
