Flypast marks launch of York rail celebration
Posted: 02 Jun 2012, 21:12
Flypast marks launch of York rail celebration
2:54pm Saturday 2nd June 2012 The Press
A SPECTACULAR flypast by three iconic aircraft has today marked the opening of a nine-day celebration of the railways in York.
Railfest 2012 will be taking place at the National Railway Museum (NRM) on Leeman Road until June 10, and today's opening ceremony saw a record-breaking East Coast locomotive being officially named 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' by TV star Carol Vorderman.
The locomotive will carry a specially-designed livery featuring the planes and insignia of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which the former Countdown presenter is a long-standing supporter of.
And three of the BBMF's aircraft - a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster - flew over the museum and across the city as the train was unveiled in front of hundreds of visitors.
The locomotive - number 91110 - achieved a UK national speed record for electric trains in 1989, a mark which still stands to this day.
"It was a great privilege to be asked to do this and very emotional to see the three aircraft fly past," said Carol.
NRM director Steve Davies said the ceremony was the "perfect" way to open Railfest 2012, saying: "The Spitfire flying over was the release point of 15 months of hard work, and I'm not ashamed to admit there was a tear coursing down my cheek because of all the energy and team spirit which has gone into this."
More information about Railfest 2012 can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012
2:54pm Saturday 2nd June 2012 The Press
A SPECTACULAR flypast by three iconic aircraft has today marked the opening of a nine-day celebration of the railways in York.
Railfest 2012 will be taking place at the National Railway Museum (NRM) on Leeman Road until June 10, and today's opening ceremony saw a record-breaking East Coast locomotive being officially named 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' by TV star Carol Vorderman.
The locomotive will carry a specially-designed livery featuring the planes and insignia of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which the former Countdown presenter is a long-standing supporter of.
And three of the BBMF's aircraft - a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster - flew over the museum and across the city as the train was unveiled in front of hundreds of visitors.
The locomotive - number 91110 - achieved a UK national speed record for electric trains in 1989, a mark which still stands to this day.
"It was a great privilege to be asked to do this and very emotional to see the three aircraft fly past," said Carol.
NRM director Steve Davies said the ceremony was the "perfect" way to open Railfest 2012, saying: "The Spitfire flying over was the release point of 15 months of hard work, and I'm not ashamed to admit there was a tear coursing down my cheek because of all the energy and team spirit which has gone into this."
More information about Railfest 2012 can be found at www.nrm.org.uk/railfest2012