THE dramatic arrival of an RAF Chinook helicopter at First GBRf’s Wellingborough freight depot in Northamptonshire signalled the naming of a Class 66 locomotive.

The event was to mark the continuing close partnership between the company and Hampshire-based RAF 7, 18 and 27 Squadrons serving in Afghanistan.

RAF Odiham station commander Group Captain Andy Turner OBE and his crew treated onlookers to a breathtaking display of the large twin-rotor helicopter’s flying capabilities before touching down close to the loco.

Inviting Group Captain Turner to unveil the striking squadron-badged plaque on loco 66723, First GBRf managing director John Smith said: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to brave servicemen and women serving in areas of conflict such as Afghanistan and we are demonstrating our respect for them by naming this loco ‘Chinook’ in their honour.”

The naming ceremony cements an ongoing partnership between the two organisations initiated by First GBRf operations manager Clive Collis, an aircraft enthusiast whose father served in the RAF, and Andy Gillet of RAF Odiam who has an equal passion for trains.

This led to First GBRf organising a special summer charter train from Sussex to Bournemouth for RAF Odiham families, and the company’s adoption as the Hampshire airbase’s official sports sponsor, which will see all training kits emblazoned with its distinctive logo.

After the naming, visitors, including RAF personnel and First GBRf staff, were invited to inspect the loco and helicopter before the two paired up for a unique photographic flypast on nearby Harringworth Viaduct.

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