Children from Graiseley Primary School in Wolverhampton are celebrating after the name Graiseley Wolves that they had chosen was unveiled as the name for a four-carriage Class 196 train, which is one of the newest trains in the West Midlands Railway (WMR) fleet.
The naming came just before International Women's Day which is being celebrated today, Wednesday, 8th March. The schoolchildren chose the name after visiting Wolverhampton station last year to attend the launch of ‘My Mummy is a Train Driver', which is a book promoting diversity and inclusion.
At the special event to launch the My Mummy is a Train Driver book, children from the school had the chance to step on board a Class 196 train, sit in the driver's cab, and listen to one of the authors telling them about the book.
The book was co-funded by West Midlands Railway and representatives from across the industry were present its launch, and one of the company's drivers told the children about her life in the driving cab.
Jo MacPhail, HR director at West Midlands Railway, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Graiseley Primary School to Wolverhampton station and watch the children have such a fun time aboard one of our 196 trains.
“I am delighted the children have now chosen a fitting name for the train which will be riding the Shrewsbury Line in the coming weeks.”
Sharifan Nasa, head teacher of Graiseley Primary School, said: “I am so pleased to hear that this wonderful name has been chosen for the new train joining the WMR fleet.
“It is such a privilege to have our name on a train that has been created by one of our pupils.”
My Mummy is a Train Driver is available to buy now.
West Midlands Railway should introduce the Class 196s to operate from Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Dorridge, Droitwich Spa, Kidderminster, Stourbridge Junction, Hereford, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.