Train locomotive to be named City of York

Readers of The Press came up with a host of suggestions when York-based train company East Coast asked them to suggest the name of a train locomotive to represent the city of York.

A panel of judges selected a shortlist of York Minster, City of York and Visit York, with readers then asked to vote for their favourite by phone or text.

More than two-thirds voted for City of York, and the name will now go on a name plate on the side of one of East Coast’s locos.

Karen Boswell, the company’s managing director, said she was delighted by the response of readers, and thanked everyone who had taken the time to take part.

“City of York is an excellent choice, favoured by a clear majority of those who took part in the final round of voting,” she said.

“It’s a clear statement which raises awareness of this great city, right at the front of a modern high-speed train.

“The train which will proudly wear the name City of York will help us to promote the many attractions of our wonderful city up and down the East Coast route.”

She said York was an important centre for the rail industry, as well as being the home of East Coast, and the reintroduction of train naming by the company demonstrated its respect for York’s special place at the heart of the railway.

“We look forward to bringing many more visitors and business people to York, as we spread the good news about the city’s many attractions along hundreds of miles of route.”

She said that from today, eleven extra East Coast weekday services were being introduced between York and London, with two trains an hour to and from the capital, and improvements to First Class on-train customer service.

“Today marks an exciting and historic day for York and its railway,” she said.