On Saturday 1 March 2008, First Great Western named HST powercar No. 43034 TravelWatch SouthWest in a ceremony held at Taunton station, following the six monthly meeting of TravelWatch SouthWest, which was addressed by Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer of First Great Western.
It has been a long held wish of Chairman Chris Irwin to have a train named after the group, this was furthered recently by member Gordon Edwards who reached agreement with FGW for the name to be applied following the March meeting.
The choice of powercar No. 43034, originally named The Black Horse was made as Gordon Edwards was instrumental in arranging that naming event at Bristol Temple Meads in October 1994 and Gordon suggested the power car be used again.
The cast nameplate was unveiled by TWSW Chairman Chris Irwin, at the invitation of Andrew Haines. After the event No. 43034 led the 15.35 Taunton to London Paddington service.
On Sunday 2 March, Class 150/2 No. 150249 was named J Charles Lang at Bere Alston station in honour of the Liskeard engineer who built both the line and Calstock Viaduct. Unveiling the nameplate were two of Mr Lang’s Great Grand-daughters, one of whom Jennifer Squires come from Canada for the celebrations.
100 years ago on 2 March 1908, the first passenger train ran between Bere Alston, Gunnislake and Kelly Bray. While the section to Kelly Bray (the station was called Callington by the railway) saw its last trains in 1966, trains have run throughout between Bere Alston and Gunnislake.
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What is TravelWatch SouthWest?
It is a Community Interest Company. <http://www.accesssouthwest.org/cic.html> Its officers work closely with regional partners, including public sector bodies, voluntary associations and transport providers. The Company also engages in consultancy work for regional institutions and advises the South West of England Regional Development Agency on bus strategy and provided general guidance on matters relating to South West rail franchising. Officers also participate in the regional working group convened by the Government Office for the South West on its plans for implementing the extension of the Government’s Concessionary Bus fares’ scheme in 2008.
The group organise twice-yearly meetings. Speakers are invited from government agencies, the public transport industry, including bus and train companies, airports and ferry operators. At these events, delegates may enter into the discussion, helping to locate and progress service improvements and to ensure that public transport is given the high profile that it deserves in regional transport policy and funding.
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