HRH Prince Charles to re-name 'Britannia'
By: Chris Milner
One of the first events in the Diamond Jubilee year of HM The Queen will be the re-naming of BR Standard No. 70000 Britannia.
'Britannia' in its black livery at Stafford. Photo: BRAD JOYCE
Built by British Railways in 1951 as the first of 999 standard class locomotives, No. 70000 will be re-named on platform one at Wakefield Kirkgate station on January 24, by HRH Prince Charles.
The Prince is no stranger to naming ceremonies, having named A1 No. 60163 Tornado at York on February 19, 2009, and has made a number of official visits to the Welsh Highland Railway.
Prior to the naming ceremony, the loco is expected to haul the Royal Train into Wakefield, possibly with HRH on the footpate at some stage, and after the ceremony, the Prince will visit a number of establishments in Barnsley.
The event will also mark the first appearance of Britannia since its repaint back to BR green.
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