GNER will be running dozens of direct services to Carnoustie for the Open Golf Championship, which takes place at the Scottish course from Thursday, July 19 to Sunday, July 22 2007.

GNER services running along Scotland’s east coast to and from Aberdeen normally run non-stop between Dundee and Arbroath and do not call at Carnoustie, which is regularly served by First ScotRail local trains. But to help the thousands of spectators expected to flock to the 2007 Open, GNER is arranging for almost all of its Aberdeen services to call at Carnoustie during the four-day event.

GNER is also running extra trains linking Carnoustie with Aberdeen, Edinburgh and stations on the East Coast Main Line to London to provide extra direct travel opportunities.

GNER chief executive Jonathan Metcalfe said: “Our extra trains will provide a comfortable and hassle-free way to travel to this great sporting event. The interest in this year’s Open Championship is all the more intense now that the world number one Tiger Woods is aiming to be the first man since 1956 to win the Open three times in a row. With the extra trains making travel easier, it promises to be a championship to remember”.

GNER is also working with train operators Virgin Cross Country and First ScotRail to provide enhanced services. With few exceptions, every train between Edinburgh or Glasgow and Aberdeen will call at Carnoustie.