GREAT Western Railway has named Class 800 IET set No. 800023 after two first responders, including a fire fighter who died in the line of duty.
One end of the set has been named after Fleur Lombard, who died on February 4, 1996 fighting a fire started by an arsonist at Leo’s Supermarket, Bristol.
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At the time Fleur, 21, was one of only eight women among Avon’s 700 fire-fighters and was the first female fire-fighter to die on duty in peacetime Britain
Matthew Golton, GWR commercial development director, said: “Fleur epitomises the spirit of the Great Western in so many ways: showing such passion and determination
in seeking to become a fire-fighter, and to help others.”
The other end of the train bears the name of Kathryn Osmond, who worked as a paramedic for the South Western ambulance service for 16 years. She sadly passed away on April 18, 2017, her 41st birthday, after a battle with melanoma.
Mr Galton added: “It is an honour that we are here to name a train in Fleur’s memory, and alongside Kathryn Osmond, are able to mark our emergency services, not only here in Bristol but, as this train continues its own duties, across the Great Western network that we serve. “
The names for GWRs trains are nominated by the public and are a mixture of well-known and less celebrated figures who have made a significant contribution to the West Country.
Read more News and Features in the June 2019 issue of The RM –on sale now!
