A Class 66 heavy freight diesel locomotive belonging to GB Railfreight will be formally named “West Somerset Railway” on Saturday 26th September at Bishops Lydeard Railway Station at 10.30.
Class 66 locomotives are a General Motors product which have been successfully introduced on railway systems across Europe and have become the principal means of haulage for heavy freight and freightliner traffic in Great Britain since their introduction in the 1990’s. GB Railfreight has won many contracts for the movement of freight, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and construction work including the Crossrail project in London and the newly opened Borders line in Scotland which Her Majesty the Queen travelled on September 9th.
GB Railfreight chose to name locomotive 66 757 ‘West Somerset Railway’ to symbolise the important relationship the company has with Britain’s longest heritage railway line.
John Smith GBRF Managing Director commented “We have supported the West Somerset Railway and its affiliated Diesel Locomotive Group (DEPG) with assistance and expertise for many years, and we recognise the high standards of both operation and engineering skills that are present on this heritage railway”
“Only this year our Class 59 ‘Yeoman Highlander’ undertook its first public run on the UK rail network on the West Somerset Railway since its repatriation.
“Today’s naming celebrates our close working relationship and will serve as a reminder of the good work that the railway does as the locomotive travels up and down the country”.
GBRF has worked with the West Somerset Railway before, bringing locomotives from their fleet to special events on the 20 mile long heritage line which runs between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead and a Class 73 locomotive was named after a member of their staff during a diesel enthusiasts weekend two years ago. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare commented “We are pleased to welcome our colleagues back to Minehead and honoured that GBRF have chosen to name one of their locomotives after the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive will be seen across the railway network of Britain and will help to raise the profile of this company far and wide.”
FOR COMMENT AND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RELEASE CONTACT: Paul Conibeare via 01643 700388 or [email protected].
Class 66 locomotives are a General Motors product which have been successfully introduced on railway systems across Europe and have become the principal means of haulage for heavy freight and freightliner traffic in Great Britain since their introduction in the 1990’s. GB Railfreight has won many contracts for the movement of freight, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and construction work including the Crossrail project in London and the newly opened Borders line in Scotland which Her Majesty the Queen travelled on September 9th.
GB Railfreight chose to name locomotive 66 757 ‘West Somerset Railway’ to symbolise the important relationship the company has with Britain’s longest heritage railway line.
John Smith GBRF Managing Director commented “We have supported the West Somerset Railway and its affiliated Diesel Locomotive Group (DEPG) with assistance and expertise for many years, and we recognise the high standards of both operation and engineering skills that are present on this heritage railway”
“Only this year our Class 59 ‘Yeoman Highlander’ undertook its first public run on the UK rail network on the West Somerset Railway since its repatriation.
“Today’s naming celebrates our close working relationship and will serve as a reminder of the good work that the railway does as the locomotive travels up and down the country”.
GBRF has worked with the West Somerset Railway before, bringing locomotives from their fleet to special events on the 20 mile long heritage line which runs between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) and Minehead and a Class 73 locomotive was named after a member of their staff during a diesel enthusiasts weekend two years ago. WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare commented “We are pleased to welcome our colleagues back to Minehead and honoured that GBRF have chosen to name one of their locomotives after the West Somerset Railway. The locomotive will be seen across the railway network of Britain and will help to raise the profile of this company far and wide.”
FOR COMMENT AND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RELEASE CONTACT: Paul Conibeare via 01643 700388 or [email protected].