On Wednesday, 11th September, Freightliner named a locomotive after music entrepreneur and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman OBE in recognition of his contribution to the Railway industry.

The naming was a collaboration between the Railway Benefit Fund charity, Avanti West Coast, and Freightliner.

It was held at Crewe railway station in Cheshire with a presentation from Tim Shoveller, CEO Freightliner Group.

Pete Waterman was awarded an OBE in the 2005 Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his work in the music industry.

He developed a love of trains at an early age and wrote his first lyrics while sitting on Rugby station. That gave him the inspiration for his first job when, aged 14, he started working for British Railways.

The Railway Benefit Fund is a charity that provides support to current, former, and retired UK railway people and their families.

For the last five years, Pete Waterman has been its president, and during that time, Pete has given up his time to raise awareness of the charity. His efforts have raised almost £2 million for the charity, helping to sustain it and provide much-needed support to railway people and their families.

Approximately 3,000 grants have been awarded by the charity, with 1,000 of them specifically supporting the children of railway workers and their families.

This isn’t the first time that Pete Waterman has had an item of railway equipment named after him, as in 2021 HS2 named its first tunnelling machine in the Midlands after him.

“Pete is a well-known railway devotee who passionately champions the railway industry and its workforce. He has been instrumental in making our fundraising events a success, always finding the time to engage with railway workers nationwide, actively supporting and promoting all range of media and hospitality events. This loco naming is a true acknowledgement of his contribution and a huge thank you from the charity and all the families we have been able to support as a result of his great work”.

Jo Kaye, CEO Railway Benefit Fund

“I have known Pete throughout my railway career, he is a true railway supporter, always happy to give up his time and contribute to the benefit of the railways. His passion and love for the industry, people and even the model form is clear to see. On 27th April 2024, Pete and his Railnuts team set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Portable Model Railway’, with an overall and official track length of 690.4m / 2279ft. It really is a pleasure and honour to be naming a Freightliner Locomotive in Pete’s name.”

Tim Shoveller, CEO Freightliner Group

“Pete is a passionate advocate for the railways and it’s people, so we’re incredibly privileged to have hosted the naming ceremony at Crewe station in his honour. It’s a fitting tribute to one of the railway’s biggest supporters, someone who always goes out of his way to help others and promote all that is good about the industry.”

Andy Mellors, Managing Director Avanti West Coast