Mainline Locomotive Named 'East Anglian Daily Times'

140th anniversary of Suffolk’s daily newspaper commemorated at Ipswich ceremony

As part of the celebrations to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Suffolk’s daily newspaper the East Anglian Daily Times, the region’s train operator Abellio Greater Anglia named one of its intercity mainline locomotives, ‘East Anglian Daily Times – Suffolk & Proud’ in a ceremony held at Ipswich station on Monday 13 October.

The ceremony took place exactly 140 years to the day when the East Anglian Daily Times (EADT) was first published on 13 October 1874.

The naming ceremony was performed by two people with long standing links with the paper, David Wilson and Paul Elmer, accompanied by the long-serving editor and Suffolk man, Terry Hunt.

Since taking over the region’s rail franchise in February 2012, Abellio Greater Anglia has continued the long-held tradition for the local train operator to feature nameplates on its mainline locomotives with local East Anglian connections. This latest naming ceremony will continue that trend with the ‘East Anglian Daily Times’ locomotive set to be seen on a daily basis on the Great Eastern mainline route between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London Liverpool Street.

Terry Hunt, Editor of the East Anglian Daily Times said: “To mark our 140th anniversary, we are planning some special events and publications, involving our loyal readers. The naming of a mainline locomotive is a very special occasion and we have been pleased to work with the team at Abellio Greater Anglia to commemorate our anniversary in this way.”

Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director, Abellio Greater Anglia said: “The East Anglian Daily Times has served the local community for 140 years and in continuing the fine tradition of naming mainline locomotives to reflect strong regional connections, we are delighted to name this locomotive to commemorate the newspaper’s anniversary and long-service to the region.”