HARD work by several generations of railway campaigners and pioneers across more than 40 years has been recognised as a powerful Class 66 mainline diesel-electric freight locomotive was named ‘Swanage Railway’.

The historic ceremony in the presence of GB Railfreight managing director John Smith and Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns at the station.

Based at Peterborough with GB Railfreight, the 127-tonne 3,300-brake horsepower Class 66 locomotive No. 66 741 now carries the name of the volunteer-led heritage railway which has been rebuilt from scratch since 1976.

Gavin Johns, Swanage Railway Trust chairman, Gavin Johns said: “This is an exciting opportunity generously given by GB Railfreight to share the Swanage Railway name across the national rail network as the Class 66 locomotive goes about its work.

“It also demonstrates the opportunities, now provided by the recently re-signalled link to Wareham, to work with national rail operators for the benefit of both the Swanage Railway and the Purbeck area."

Now named ‘Swanage Railway’, Class 66 locomotive No. 66741 was built in March, 2005, by General Motors at its factory in London, Ontario, Canada.

GB Railfreight managing director John Smith said: “It has been fantastic to bring our Class 66 to Swanage and to name it ‘Swanage Railway’.

“We have relationships with a number of private railways, particularly those connected to the national network like the Swanage Railway which is a fantastic achievement."

We had no hesitation in agreeing to one of our Class 66 locomotives being named ‘Swanage Railway’. Anything that increases enthusiasm about railways should be encouraged,” added Mr Smith.

Starting GB Railfreight 15 years ago with just 10 people – the company now has a staff of 650 – Mr Smith joined British Rail as a carriage and wagon engineering apprentice at York in 1977.