Its all in the name What your train name says about your journey
Tuesday 11 December
It’s all in the name: What your train name says about your journey
To mark the launch of a new booklet showcasing some of the country’s most historical train journeys, two of First Great Western’s specially branded trains to Carmarthen and Plymouth have been fitted with their original 1930s headboard.
For decades there has been named trains running on the railway network. First Great Western continues this tradition with names used for 18 of its services between London, the West of England, South Wales and the Cotswolds.
Julian Crow, First Great Western Regional Manager West of England explains:
“So little is known about the history of the services we are privileged to run from London Paddington to the West of England and Wales.
“Tying in with the launch of the winter timetable, we decided to put together an e-leaflet detailing those services, explaining their names, and re-installing a sense of tradition behind their names.”
Stood side-by-side at London Paddington this week are the Mayflower and the Red Dragon.
The Mayflower operates Monday to Friday between London Paddington (1106) and Plymouth (1500) and is named after the famous ship that transported 102 Pilgrims and crew from Plymouth on a 66 day voyage to the new world of America in 1620.
The Red Dragon runs Monday to Friday between London (1715) and Carmarthen (0730) and is named after the mythical Red Dragon (known in Welsh as Y Ddraig Goch) that appears on the Welsh national flag. Although the flag was only granted official status in 1959, it is claimed to be the oldest national flag still in use, although its origins are now lost in history and myth.
To find out more about the other named trains in First Great Western’s fleet, and to see their logo’s please visit the
Named Trains of First Great Western
.