After a major overhaul of the Royal Artilleryman locomotive, Network Rail, South Western Railway and the Ministry of Defence have rededicated the locomotive to the Royal Artillery.

The locomotive was unveiled at Salisbury station, which is close to the Royal Artillery’s headquarters.

Military personnel, battery personnel, the Honour Guard and Royal Artillery Association Members were in attendance at the unveiling.

Senior regiment representatives boarded the train at Warminster and arrived at Salisbury on the rededicated train, where they were saluted.

The locomotive, owned by Locomotive Services Limited, made a special journey via Southampton and Eastleigh before returning to Salisbury.

The railways have always had a strong relationship with the military and will be doing other things to celebrate, including a plaque at Haslemere to honour the 626 people who lost their lives in the war.

South Western Railway and Network Rail have previously signed the Armed Forces Covenant and support ex-military personnel within their workforce.

“The railway has a proud history of supporting our Armed Forces community and I am delighted that this train has been rededicated to the Royal Artillery. Network Rail is honoured to have won the Gold Award as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and it is something we are determined to maintain for years to come. We will continue to work closely with South Western Railway to deliver a railway that honours the Armed Forces community and we pay homage to their service.”

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director