The Severn Valley Railway is asking the public to vote for a new name for its purple-liveried steam locomotive.
The heritage railway, based in Worcestershire and Shropshire, will rename 34027 Taw Valley to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Queen becoming monarch, as well as repaint the loco in purple livery.
Almost 1200 name suggestions have been whittled down to a shortlist of four, open to a public vote at www.svr.co.uk/namealoco: Elizabeth II; Gloriana; Severn Majesty; and Valley Monarch. The name that receives the most votes will be cast onto authentic nameplates and affixed to the engine in readiness for the VIP ceremony on Thursday, June 2 – the start of the extended Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Jubilee.
The name change and repaint will be strictly temporary measures, and later in the year, the locomotive will be restored to its original name and livery.
“We are very excited about unveiling our unique locomotive later this year,” said the head of visitor experience, Michael Dunn. “From the reaction we’ve had so far we think it’s going to prove a huge draw over the summer.
“We are going all out this year to celebrate both The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 2022 Commonwealth Games which are being held in Birmingham. There will be a limited time period when people can visit the SVR to see this very special locomotive, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Voters also have the chance to enter into a prize draw to win a family travel ticket for the SVR.
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