Oxfordshire makes tracks in 2007!

Friday 9 February, 2007

Oxfordshire celebrates its thousandth birthday in 2007—and to commemorate the county's special year, a train on the Oxford to London line is being given its name.

The First Great Western power car was named Oxfordshire 2007 at a double ceremony on Friday 9 February 2007; on Oxford platform the Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council Lesley Legge and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Jim Campbell unveiled the plaque, attended by other dignitaries. The train then travelled south through the county to Didcot where it was greeted by the Mayor of Didcot Mike McNulty and number 4144, a 61-year old steam train from Didcot Railway Centre.

Cllr Lesley Legge unveiling the name plaque

Oxfordshire's anniversary year is also a special year for Didcot Railway Centre which celebrates a double birthday: 40 years and 75 years. The old train received visitors, including both Mayors and the chairmen of Oxfordshire county and district councils for drinks and lunch on board as it travelled up and down the line.

Sarah Maxfield, chief executive of Oxford Inspires, the county's cultural development agency, which is coordinating the Oxfordshire 2007 year, said today: "First Great Western is a major supporter of Oxfordshire's millennium celebrations and we are delighted to see a very real symbol of that relationship in the form of a train which will be seen travelling through the county not just in 2007 but in years to come as well."

Alison Forster, managing director of First Great Western, said: "We are delighted to be working with Oxford Inspires in this very special anniversary year. We support celebrations of the heritage of our routes as it is this heritage that we remember as we look to the future and the development of the rail network."

First Great Western is a major supporter of Oxfordshire 2007. It is providing support throughout the year and for two special events: The Children's Food Festival and Go with the Flow. First Great Western operates high speed, commuter and branch line train services across the former Wessex Trains, First Great Western Link and First Great Western routes. Its vision is "to be the leading train company for customers' preferred choice of travel. Our people, through their passion, energy and commitment, will provide customers and communities with travel that is safe, reliable and enjoyable".

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