Great Western Railway name a train in honour of Captain Tom Moore who has raised more than £29 million for the NHS

Train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has named a train in honour of the veteran who has raised more than £29 million for the NHS to mark his 100th birthday.

GWR Intercity Express Train 800025 will pay tribute to Captain Tom Moore and his remarkable fundraising achievements during the Covid-19 crisis.

It was named in response to requests from both GWR colleagues and members of the public, re-entering service on Thursday 30 April 2020 – the date of Captain Tom’s 100th birthday.

Captain Tom’s fundraising feat was further boosted when his duet of You’ll Never Walk Alone, with musicals legend Michael Ball, reached No1. Credit: Great Western Railway

World War Two veteran Captain Tom, who was stationed in Cornwall during his career, has extended his challenge to 200 laps after he completed the first 100 laps 14 days ahead of schedule.

His initial £1,000 fundraising target was broken in about 24 hours and he has now raised more than £29m for NHS Charities Together.

The Class 800 Intercity Express Train will go into service carrying its new name on Thursday. Credit: Great Western Railway
99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore after he achieved his goal of 100 laps of his garden. Credit: PA

The Class 800 Intercity Express Train will go into service carrying its new name on Thursday and will carry key workers travelling to and from work on the Great Western network.

Following Government advice against all non-essential travel, GWR is operating a reduced timetable. The focus remains on running services that can be relied on at this time of uncertainty, providing essential transport for key workers to get to and from work.