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Railway History Continues

Thomas Cook agrees deal so the European Rail Timetable lives on

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has today confirmed it has reached an agreement with a previous member of staff for the rights to its iconic European Rail Timetable. The timetable will now be published by John Potter, a former member of Thomas Cook’s Timetable Editorial Team. A re-launch of the timetable by John’s company European Rail Timetable Limited is planned for February 2014.

Speaking about the agreement John Potter said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of taking this independent business forward, and hope that our new team can build on the success enjoyed by the ‘Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable’ during its illustrious 140 year history. I would like to thank Thomas Cook for its co-operation in making this happen.”

First known as “Cook’s Continental Time Tables” and published continuously since 1873 (the only exception during World War II), the unique Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable was seen as the ‘rail-bible’ for a wide audience of business and leisure travellers, as well as rail enthusiasts of all ages across the globe. The only publication of its kind, it was renowned for providing schedules for over 50,000 train, bus and ferry connections in over 5,000 locations throughout Europe and beyond.

Earlier this year Thomas Cook UK & Ireland announced its intention to focus on core products, signalling the end of the company’s publishing arm. Commenting on today’s agreement Peter Fankhauser, CEO for the UK & Continental Europe at Thomas Cook said: “We know customers were disappointed that the timetable stopped and, whilst publishing isn’t part of our transformation strategy, we felt it was important to support John with his new venture and continue the tradition started by our founder. We wish John and his team every success for the future.”

Other members of the former Thomas Cook Editorial Team, David Turpie and Chris Woodcock will be employed by European Rail Timetable Limited. Between them, John, Chris and David worked on the Timetable for more than 46 years.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Under the new agreement all licences for the timetable will be transferred from Thomas Cook to European Rail Timetable Limited.

• The new timetable will not use the Thomas Cook brand, however it will contain the same information.

• August 2013 was the final edition of the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable

• This is the only timetable of its kind in publication today

• Contact details for the new timetable will be:

Web: www.europeanrailtimetable.eu

Email: [email protected]

Click here to download Thomas Cook media and images.

Press Office Number: 01733417272

Press Office email: [email protected]