29th July 2009

Grand Central Railway names train after

famous Yorkshire vet 'James Herriot'

Grand Central Railway today named one of its recently acquired Class 180

trains after the world famous vet - 'James Herriot' at London's Kings

Cross Station.

Grand Central has strong connections with Herriot Country as the

Sunderland born vet lived and practiced in the villages and farms around

Thirsk. Both Sunderland and Thirsk are served by Grand Central's high

speed rail services.

The special train, number 180112, was officially named by Jim Wight and

Rosie Page, son and daughter of Alf Wight, the author who created James

Herriot. The naming also builds on the partnership between Grand

Central Railway and the World of James Herriot and the Herriot Country

Attractions Group who bring many thousands of visitors into the

beautiful parts of Yorkshire around Thirsk.

Tom Clift, Managing Director of Grand Central said "We are delighted to

be able to name the latest addition to our fleet after James Herriot and

to jointly promote some of the attractions along our route. This newly

named train will shortly start running additional services on our route

linking the Durham Coast, North Yorkshire and London, increasing the

frequency of Grand Central services and also opening up a lot more

opportunities for both business and leisure rail travellers." 

Ian Ashton, Chairman of the Herriot Country Attractions Group said "We

are very excited that Grand Central has agreed to honour one of our most

famous sons. It gives the group tremendous support and we hope the

friendly, family image it portrays to the public, coupled with the name

James Herriot, will bring many more people into Yorkshire to visit our

beautiful county and all its attractions."

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire said "The James

Herriot train is a great way of getting the message of Yorkshire out

across the UK. James Herriot is certainly one of Yorkshire's famous

names, and I'm pleased that Grand Central have chosen to honour him in

this way."