Your chance to name a Class 47

[madhattie]

From the Bristol Evening Post: http://tinyurl.com/8cbg3

CHARITY HAVING TRAIN NAMED

11:00 - 12 August 2005

Train fans can ride behind a preserved locomotive and help raise funds for a meningitis research charity. The 1960s diesel locomotive will make the journey from Wolverhampton to Minehead for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

It will be named on behalf of the charity at a special ceremony, to be held when it stops at Temple Meads station.

Supporters of the charity are invited to make suggestions of names for the locomotive, and the person who chooses the winning name will win free tickets to enjoy the train journey.

The charity fund research into meningitis and septicaemia - diseases that still claim hundreds of lives each year and particularly affect the under-five age group.

The charity train journey has been organised to coincide with Meningitis Awareness Week in September.

A Heartland Rail Class 47 locomotive will make the journey, calling in at Tame Bridge, Aston, Birmingham New Street, Kidderminster, Worcester Shrub Hill, Cheltenham Spa, Cam & Dursley, and Bristol Parkway before stopping at Bristol's Temple Meads station for the grand unveiling.

It will then carry on to Taunton, Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

At Minehead, travellers will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch by the seaside or take a ride on the West Somerset preserved steam railway.

Foundation spokeswoman, Julia Warren, said: "It is going to be a great day with entertainment and games on board the train.

"We are hoping to make more than £10,000 and it will hopefully be up to £20,000 if we have a full train.

"A woman who works for Heartland Rail suffered with meningitis and wanted to do something for the charity following her recovery."

A return ticket from Wolverhampton to Minehead will cost £39. A return ticket from Bristol to Minehead on the same train will cost £28.

There will be a licensed buffet and onboard games and entertainment.

Places are limited so call 0845 607 6395 to book tickets for Meningitis Research Foundation's Great Train Journey.

Bronze, Silver and Gold Corporate packages are also available. Contact Sarah Campbell on 01454 281418 for more details.

To suggest a name for the locomotive, email info@meningitis.org or write to the foundation at Midland Way Thornbury Bristol BS35 2BS