Naming Update

Following the naming of a Class 170 Turbostar at Leicester, Crosscountry has now applied cast Hixon 6th January 1968 nameplates to Voyager 220009 in a ceremony conducted at Stafford station on August 19. It commemorates the lives lost in a level crossing accident in the Staffordshire village of Hixon.

The Manchester to London Euston train, carrying 300 passengers back in January 1968, collided with a road transporter carrying a 120-tonne transformer over the automatic level crossing. The train driver, his assistant, a spare driver and eight passengers were killed in the crash.

The incident led to a thorough enquiry, which saw changes made to level crossings across Britain and the crossing at Hixon was later replaced by a bridge.

The ceremony was conducted by Pete Waterman, representing the Railway Benefit Fund, accompanied by Crosscountry managing director Tom Joyner and Network Rail’s North West and Central region managing director Tim Shoveller, along with representatives from the local community of Hixon.

A presentation Voyager nameplate has been presented to the community for display in its Memorial Hall, while another presentation nameplate, provided by Alstom, was presented to Pete Waterman to be auctioned off to raise funds for the RBF, which raises money to help railway staff in need of support.

The recent naming marks a new direction for Crosscountry, that has previously resisted naming members of its train fleet.

Pete Waterman conducts the naming ceremony of Crosscountry Class 220 Voyager 220009, which has been named Hixon 6th January 1968, at Stafford station on August 19. Mr Waterman is handed a presentation nameplate for auctioning by Tim Shoveller and Tom Joyner during the ceremony. BC Collection, courtesy Rail Express