Naming Update

To mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Southeastern ‘City Beam’ 707001 was named Spirit of Ukraine on February 24 in a ceremony conducted at Cannon Street station.

The naming was organised to mark the friendships and connections formed between Ukrainians who have settled in the communities served by the rail operator and the many people who have welcomed them.

The electric multiple unit was named after a minute’s silence took place, and the event also included performances from the Canterbury 4 Ukraine Women’s Choir.

Newly overhauled Colas Rail Class 43 HST power car 43277 was named Safety Task Force by Safety Task Force director Nick Millington MBE in a ceremony at the Rugby on-track plant depot on March 3.

The Safety Task Force initiative was set up by Network Rail to target track worker safety on the railways. The power car had travelled down from Loram at Derby to Rugby the previous day, along with classmate power car 43251 – its first workings for Colas following completion of its refurbishment by South Devon Railway Engineering at Buckfastleigh.

West Midlands Railway’s 196001 was named Graiseley Wolves at Wolverhampton station on March 7. The name for the recently introduced Caf-built Class 196 diesel multiple unit was chosen by schoolchildren from Graiseley Primary School in the city. The children visited Wolverhampton station last year for the launch of My Mummy is a Train Driver, a book promoting diversity and inclusion. The naming ceremony took place the day before International Women’s Day.

The only locomotive to be de-named during this period has

been 91118, which has its The Fusiliers nameplates removed following its delivery to Sims Metals in Newport for scrapping.

South Devon Railway LEFT: Colas Rail’s overhauled HST power car 43277 has been named Safety Task Force in honour of the Network Rail project to target track worker safety. The power car was named by Nick Millington MBE at Rugby on March 3. Also of note is the small ‘Refurbished by South Devon Railway Engineering 2023’ plaque applied at the bottom of the power car, in a style similar to those applied by Brush Traction when the HST power cars were re-engined.

Southeastern RIGHT: Spirit of Ukraine vinyl nameplates applied to Southeastern Class 707 ‘City Beam’ 707001 at Cannon Street station on February 24, which was named to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.