Steve Higgs, 56, from Leighton Buzzard, met Payal Pandya, 49, from Harrow, on the London Northwestern Railway (LNR) service from Euston towards Milton Keynes in November 2024.
On December 8, 2025, Mr Higgs proposed to Ms Pandya – to the delight of fellow commuters.
The train operator even joined in on the love story, making a special announcement hinting at the forthcoming proposal.
The couple reminisced about their first encounter on board the 23:09.
Mr Higgs said: “I first met Payal when I offered her my seat on the train after I’d been out for a few drinks with friends.
“I’m always up for chatting with people when I’m travelling and so I struck up a conversation.
“I remember she mentioned she’d just been on a first date where – luckily for me – sparks had failed to fly.
“Although we were only speaking for 20 minutes or so, I knew I wanted to see her again.”
The Harrow resident recalls telling Mr Higgs that she met a date that night through a dating app.
Shortly after leaving the train, Mr Higgs found her profile and sent her a message.
The two set up their first date shortly afterwards.
Ms Pandya said: “We always joke that the 23:09 LNR service marks our ‘encounter-versary’ – the moment we first met.
“I can’t believe Steve asked me to marry him on that same service and managed to get the conductor involved without me knowing.”
The pair already have plans to move in together next year, and are aiming for a summer wedding.
This move will also unite their pets, Bruno, the Italian greyhound, and Zen, the cavapoo.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at London Northwestern Railway, said: “When Steve got in touch with our customer relations team, we knew we had to help with his request for a special announcement.
“Their story is a brilliant example of the way the railway can connect people, not just to where they need to go, but to the people they’re travelling with too.
“We’re delighted to hear that Payal was on board with the wedding plans and said yes.
“I want to say a huge congratulations to them both and that we wish them the very best for their future together.”
London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.
