Revolution Trains is proud and pleased to be supporting Project Railway Honour, which was launched yesterday.
In a ceremony at Freightliner’s new locomotive depot at Basford, Crewe, 66418 – now carrying the new Genessee and Wyoming branded version of Freightliner’s PowerHaul livery – was named “Patriot.”
Dapol will now produced a limited edition model of this locomotive and all proceeds from sales will go the ABF, The Soldier’s Charity.
The naming was carried out by Adam Cunliffe, Freightliner’s UK managing director and Graham Wood, whose grandfather, Wilfred Wood VC, a former employee of London North Western Railways, was awarded the Victoria Cross on 28 November 1918 for conspicuous bravery and initiative on the Italian front against Austro-Hungarian forces in World War 1.
The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest award for gallantry. Mr Wood brought his grandfather’s with him.
The Mercian Regiment provided an Honour Guard and Army vehicles for the event.
The locomotive nameplate also carries the message “In Memory of Fallen Railway Employees” and it was noted that all railwaymen who fell in WW1 were volunteers, since working on the railways at the time was designated a “protected job” meaning that none faced conscription.
The project is the brainchild of Corporal Gareth Atkinson, of The Mercian Regiment.
After the naming ceremony 66418 was taken up to Crewe station to allow enthusiasts to take photographs.
Revolution Trains is delighted to be one of the supporters of Project Railway Honour, providing design work, publicity materials and web services free of charge.
We will also be hosting Gareth and Project Railway Honour on our stand at the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC later this month, when Gareth will be delighted to meet potential supporters and answer questions.