Double naming for Captain Tom Moore

INSPIRATIONAL former British Army officer Captain Tom Moore has been honoured with two namings, as well as being made an honorary colonel.

National treasure Tom raised more than £32million for NHS charities before his 100th birthday in April after completing 100 laps of his garden in Bedfordshire.

Following its repainting with'ThankYou NHS'logos,GB Railfreight named No. 66731

Capt. Tom Moore -A True British Inspiration at Eastleigh on

April 30 to mark the inspirational veteran's centenary.

The naming was undertaken by GB Railfreight managing director John Smith, with Captain Moore watching the ceremony from home. Neil Booth, director of Railwayana Auctions UK

Ltd, came up with the idea of naming a locomotive in honour of Captain Tom, who originally wanted to raise £1,000 by his 100th birthday.

Neil said:"I thought it would be a wonderful idea to honour Captain Tom with his nameplate on a locomotive that travels the country so that lots of people could see it:'

Class SOO

The nameplate was produced by Procast to avery short timescale, along with asmaller presentation plate for the family.

GWR also decided to name

Class 800 IET No. 800025 Capt.

Tom Moore in response to requests from both GWR staff and members ofthe public.

GWR interim managing director Matthew Golton said Captain

Tom's spirit was 'indomitable' and he set an example to everyone. It also continues a GWR theme of naming trains after inspirational individuals.

Model company Hornby announced on April 30 it was producing a limited edition of 500 models of No. 66731, with money generated from the sale of each model being donated to the NHS Charities Together. Within hours ofthe launch, Hornby upped the edition to 1,000, but as more and more wanted the loco, the model company kept increasing the order before drawing a ceiling at 3,500 models.

Sales will realise £140,000 for the NHS charities.

■ On May 20, formal approval was given by HM The Queen for Captain Tom to be knighted.