The naming of a Virgin Pendolino was marked with a flypast by an aircraft from the Royal Air Force's 101 Squadron, based at Brize Norton.

The VC-10, which also carried some Virgin Trains people, 'dipped' its wings as it flew over the Virgin tilting train in Northamptonshire, less than an hour after the train Pendolino set No. 390045 was officially named 101 Squadron by RAF 101 Squadron Wing Commander Tim O'Brien at Birmingham International railway station.

The naming of a state-of-the-art Pendolino train maintains a tradition which goes back to 1997, when Virgin first took over the West Coast and CrossCountry train services. A mutual exchange group has been formed between railway staff and 101 Squadron and the relationship is currently led by Virgin's Wolverhampton-based instructor driver Bob Dunn.

In the following year one of the 'original' West Coast trains was named 101 Squadron. Now, in Virgin Train's 10th Birthday year, the opportunity has been taken to transfer the name to a modern tilting Pendolino train.

Virgin West Coast Managing Director Charles Belcher said: "I am delighted that Virgin Trains people, led by those from Wolverhampton depot and now joined by others from across the Virgin Trains network, have continued the close relationship with 101 Squadron. I know that over the last 10 years there have been many exchange visits and I am happy to support further visits in the coming years."

In naming the train, RAF 101 Squadron Wing Commander Tim O'Brien said: "It is an absolute delight and a very real honour to be invited to Birmingham International today for the naming of a Virgin Pendolino train. Our links with Virgin Trains are very strong indeed and this serves to make them still stronger. On behalf of all of 101 Squadron, I would like to express how proud we are of our association with Virgin Trains and we are very much looking forward to welcoming Virgin Trains back to Brize Norton in the near future, to return your very kind hospitality."

The honour of being Train Manager on special Birmingham - London Euston train fell to Brian Pugh, who is approaching his retirement and will work his last train with Virgin later this month. Brian will have completed over 44 years railway service when he officially retires on 24 September.