The Talyllyn Railway have announced that Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society Vice President Winston McCanna and General Manager Stuart Williams were in attendance at the recent launch of the specially named Virgin Trains train.
‘Royal Air Force Centenary 1918 – 2018' was launched on 22 August 2018 at Holyhead railway station. The Virgin Trains service has been named as part of the #RAF100 centenary events. During the ceremony, the Talyllyn Railway had its own special mention.
The train's nameplate features the RAF Valley station crest. It was officially unveiled at the ceremony by RAF veterans Mary Roberts and John Wynne, both of who served in World War 2.
No.6 Douglas was built for the Airservice Construction Corps being completed by its manufacturers, Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock, in February 1918. In 2018, it was repainted into RAF Blue to celebrate the 100th anniversary.
What did the officials say?
Air Commodore Dai Williams OBE, Air Officer Wales for the RAF, said:
“The RAF is very grateful to Virgin Trains for naming one of their engines after the RAF Centenary. We know that having an engine named after you is a rare and special thing, so the RAF is delighted to be recognised in this way, and I hope Virgin Trains customers across the network will also enjoy this special connection to the RAF.”
“You associate the RAF with planes, but maybe not trains – but in fact the association goes right back to our beginnings in 1918. We are delighted to have been involved with the Talyllyn and the centenary celebrations for No.6 Douglas”.
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