A CREWE rail freight operator has paid tribute to key workers by dedicating an engine in a special naming ceremony.

Freightliner, who are based at Basford Hall, named its newly-acquired and liveried electric locomotive 90014 "Over the Rainbow" in recognition of the work carried out by the many unsung heroes in the NHS and other key workers during the lockdown.

Crewe Town Mayor Cllr Benn Minshall was one of a select audience invited to attend a socially-distanced ceremony at which the name plate was unveiled by Freightliner Train Planner, David Clay, who was chosen for the task after winning a staff competition.

The engine, a class 90, is one of a squadron of locomotives recently released from express passenger duties. It has just been out-shopped after extensive re-engineering at Crewe works.

Freightliner wanted to acknowledge the sustained effort of key workers throughout the last four months and to also recognise the vital role they will continue to play long after the pandemic subsides.

It said: "Naming the locomotive 'Over the Rainbow' will serve as a reminder of the incredibly valuable contribution key workers have made across many sectors".

The ceremony took place at the company's Vehicle Maintenance Facility.

"We wanted to recognise the tremendous effort of all key workers and, in particular, those in the transport and logistics industry," said chief executive Gary Long.

"We are all having to deal with the daily challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but none more so than the key workers who continue to transport vital medical supplies, goods to keep supermarket shelves stocked and other services to keep our country running during these unprecedented times."

Mayor Cllr Minshall said the naming was a wonderful tribute to key workers and the Class 90 with its striking black, orange and yellow corporate livery would make a mark for Crewe wherever it travelled around the country.

He said: "It was just a lovely thing to be part of. When we think of what our key workers have done for us over these past few months some people might think that naming a train engine is not enough.

"But that engine is now going to go all over the country and probably further - we will be able to think that another little piece of Crewe is travelling around the world."

And Crewe's Mayor added "It was my second train naming to be involved in and it was a wonderful experience."

The 90014 is the second Class 90 locomotive to be repainted in the G&W livery. It operates using the 25k overhead line supply, reducing the dependency on diesel and contributing to making rail freight a more carbon-neutral mode of transport.

Freightliner is the largest user of electric locomotives to haul freight.

"We thought that naming an electric Class 90 locomotive was appropriate as we look forward to the decarbonised future of freight movements," added the company's chief executive.