jul 5, 1841 - Thomas Cook's First Excursion

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Thomas Cook organizes his first excursion, a rail journey from Leicester's Campbell Street Station in central England to the neighboring town of Loughborough. The train carries some 500 passengers a distance of 12 miles and back for a temperance (anti-alcohol) meeting.
The cost? One shilling! For 1 shilling, passengers got round trip train travel, band entertainment, afternoon tea, and food.

The first railway excursion left Campbell Street Station in Leicester for Loughborough on 5th July 1841 at the cost of one shilling per passenger. Amongst the 485 passengers was Thomas Cook’s seven year old son John Mason Cook. The party travelled in open tub-style carriages and was accompanied by a band.
After a successful day of marches, speeches, games and tea in the park, the party arrived back at Leicester station at 10:30pm. History had been made.

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