- New Intercity Express Train (800009) named and signed by Wales’ greatest rugby player
Great Western Railway (GWR) has paid tribute to Wales sporting greats Sir Gareth Edwards and John Charles, naming one of its new trains after the pair.
Train number 009 was selected to represent both sportsmen’s shirt number, and bears John Charles’ name on one end and Sir Gareth Edwards name on the other.
The Class 800 (800009) Intercity Express Train will also carry images of specially designed coins inspired by the sportsmen, and making the train individual from the rest of the fleet.
The former Welsh rugby international, who was at Cardiff Central with John Charles’ wife, Glenda Charles, added a further personal touch by signing the train before it departed for London Paddington with the pair on board.
Sir Gareth said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have a train bearing my name, and for it be alongside my childhood hero John Charles really means a lot.
“Growing up a young boy, I loved playing football as well as rugby and other sports, and John Charles was the main man that we all aspired to be.”
On arrival into London Paddington, representatives from Charles’ former clubs, Juventus Football Club and Leeds United, were present to meet the train.
Glenda Charles said: “It's a delight and a privilege to see my beloved John honoured in this way. I'm sure that seeing his name emblazoned on this train will remind everyone that he was Wales' greatest footballer.”
Edwards made 53 appearances in 11 years for the Wales, winning the Five Nation Championship seven times, including three grand slams – in a dominant era for Wales.
Charles made 38 appearances for Wales, scoring 15 goals and was part of the squad that made it to the quarter final stage of the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “This train forms part of a fleet which will significantly improve links to and from Wales, and we are delighted to pay tribute to two Welsh sporting greats, Sir Gareth and John, by naming it in their honour.
“Regarded as legends for their abilities on the field of play, and inspirations to many outside of sport, both epitomise the sporting culture in Wales and its rich, successful history.”
Sir Gareth Edwards played ten times for the British and Irish Lions, being part of the 1971 Lions team that have been the only side to win a series in New Zealand, as well as the 1974 side that went unbeaten in South Africa.
This year marks 45 years since Edwards scored a try for Barbarians against New Zealand, which is regarded by many as ‘greatest try ever scored’. This moment is celebrated in the artwork beside Edwards’ name on the train.
John Charles rose to legend status with Leeds United, scoring 150 goals in eight years with the Yorkshire side before making a British transfer record £65,000 switch to Juventus, Italy.
At the Turin club, he went on to win three Scudettos (Italian League Championships) – with this year marking 60 years since his first title triumph, and two Coppa Italia wins, as well as finishing third in the Ballon D’Or award in 1959.
GWR’s Intercity Express Trains entered service on 16 October 2017 and are being named after individuals and organisations that have inspired the regions that they serve – 50 of which will be taken from the 100 Great Westerners list.