VIRGIN Trains named Class 221 ‘Voyager’ No. 221114 Royal Air Force Centenary 1918–2018 at Holyhead station on August 22 to celebrate the historic links between the RAF base and railways.

The nameplate carries the station crest of the RAF Valley and was unveiled at a ceremony by veterans Mary Roberts and Wing Commander John Wynne, both of whom served in the Second World War.

The connection between railways and the RAF goes back to the early days of the air force when a Barclay 0-4-0WT was built in 1918 for Air Service Construction Corps, and used by the RAF until 1946.

The loco is now Talyllyn Railway No. 6 Douglas and has been adopted by the Towyn & Aberdovey Royal Air Force Association.

Here, the Class 221 pauses alongside RAF Valley for a photo with a pair of Hawk T2 aircraft. SAC Nathan Edwards/MOD

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