Railfreight reveals the Mayflower, to coincide with G7 economic conference
Railfreight, the UK freight carrier, revealed the Mayflower, named after the ship that carried the pilgrims from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, where they established the first permanent New England colony. The unveiling took place just as the G7 economic conference concluded in Cornwall.
When meeting with the new US president Joe Biden, the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said: “Today marks the unveiling of the first Class 69 locomotive, 69001 “Mayflower”. 69001’s new livery represents the longstanding relationship between GBRf and Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company.”
The response of North American connections has given GBRf a marketing opportunity to showcase their reworking of a British designed beauty.
GBRf said: “The locomotive, specially painted to carry the flags of both companies home nations, is named after the Mayflower ship which first took the founding fathers from Plymouth, UK, to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, over 400 years ago.”
As freight operators may know, Southampton has developed as one of the most significant trade ports in the UK. Plymouth, around 150 miles further west (240km) has become primarily a naval base in its own right.
Southampton and Plymouth were both pre-eminent in the days of the trans-Atlantic liners, when passengers crossed the ocean in more comfort and ease than the families of the Pilgrim Fathers.
More recently, Southampton has been a departure point for cruise liners, with many passengers delivered to the quayside by rail – which has been a profitable contract for freight hauliers.
For more information visit www.gbrailfreight.com
21st June 2021
