A RAIL operator has named one of its trains after a Crewe-based charity.

Avanti West Coast invited record industry mogul Peter Waterman, who is the president of the Railway Benefit Fund, to attend the naming ceremony at Liverpool Lime Street Station to launch Railway Family Week on Monday (April 26).

The Pendolino now carries the name of the 'Railway Benefit Fund' emblazoned on its plate in honour of the charity, which provides support for railway workers past and present and their families during hard times.

Charity staff are staging Railway Family Week to raise up to £50,000 for good causes via an online Rail Experiences Auction which includes prizes such as a family ticket on the Dalesman or Scarborough Spa Express and a guided tour of St.Pancras Station.

Mr Waterman was joined by a small number of invited guests, as well as officials from Network Rail, Alstom and other train operating companies at the Liverpool ceremony.

The Pendolino, number 390155, is expected to travel over a quarter of a million miles in the next year, helping to raise the charity's profile.

"It's a real privilege for the Railway Benefit Fund to be recognised in this way," said Mr Waterman.

"The Pendolino is such an iconic train and we can't thank Avanti West Coast enough for their support. It's been a tough year for everyone, especially charities, so this week is all about raising money to fund the great work the Railway Benefit Fund does to support railway families up and down the country."

During the pandemic, the charity, whose offices are on Nantwich Road, has supported railway staff with cash assistance as well as funding home schooling equipment.

"We're extremely proud that one of our Pendolino trains will bear the name 'Railway Benefit Fund'," said Phil Whittingham, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail's North West and Central region and Railway Benefit Fund chairman, said: "The past year has been tough for so many people, including our railway family who've worked tirelessly to ensure key workers and millions of tonnes of critical goods, like medicine and food, can continue to travel across the country.

Rail staff have been using the charity's founding year, 1858, as a motivational tool to complete challenges to hit the £50,000 target. The Network Rail boss is planning a non-stop swim of 1858m as part of the fundraising.

You can find more out about Railway Family Week here.