IN THE lead up to Armistice Day, a rail freight firm has renamed one of its locomotives Lest We Forget.

Freightliner, a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), named its recently re-liveried locomotive 6641 in recognition of The Royal British Legion’s Thank You movement.

The loco naming ceremony took place at Freightliner’s maritime terminal in Southampton and was attended by more than 50 guests; including the Mayor of Southampton Stephen Barnes Andrews, industry representatives and several ex-military colleagues from both Freightliner and sister company Pentalver.

Following a remembrance service, the name plate, which also features The Royal British Legion’s Thank You logo, was unveiled by the winners of the staff loco naming competition.

“The Royal British Legion’s Thank You movement provides a perfect opportunity to recognise and remember the crucial role the rail industry had to play during World War One,” said Adam Cunliffe, CCO of G&W’s UK/ Europe companies.

“Trains transported troops, rations, coal, water, horses and artillery across Britain and Europe in a way never previously seen. Over 100,000 railway workers enlisted when the war broke out. By the end of the war, tragically 20,000 had lost their lives. We should never forget the ultimate sacrifice they made.”

Catherine Davies, Head of Remembrance at The Royal British Legion, said, “We owe the World War One generation a huge debt of gratitude for helping to shape the world as we know it today. Not only the 1.2 million British and Commonwealth Armed Forces who lost their lives on the battlefield, but also those who kept the home front going. Our ‘Thank You’ movement recognises all who played their part at home. We are grateful to those who ran the railway in the First World War and who helped keep the country moving during such difficult times.”