DIGNITARIES from Talyllyn Railway have taken part in a special ceremony to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

Society vice-president Winston McCanna and the railway’s general manager, Stuart Williams, attended a special ceremony at Holyhead station to name a Virgin Voyager train ‘Royal Air Force Centenary 1918 – 2018’ in commemoration of the RAF’s centenary and its historic links with the railway in north Wales.

However, as part of the ceremony the Talyllyn Railway’s own connections to the RAF received a special mention.

Air Commodore Dai Williams OBE, air officer Wales for the RAF, said: “The RAF is very grateful to Virgin Trains for naming one of their engines after the RAF Centenary. We know that having an engine named after you is a rare and special thing, so the RAF is delighted to be recognised in this way and I hope Virgin Trains customers across the network will also enjoy this special connection to the RAF.”

The Air Commodore also spoke passionately about the Talyllyn Railway’s locomotive No.6 ‘Douglas’ as being a significant and remaining link between the RAF and trains.

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