UK train operator Great Western Railway (GWR) recently unveiled a special livery job where it transformed one of its trains to pay tribute to those who served in Falklands War.
The Falklands 40 livery, marking 40 since the end of the Falklands War, was unveiled on one of GWR’s Class 255 Castle sets.
The Falklands War was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the UK, fought over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Caption: The Falklands 40 livery marked 40 since the end of the Falklands War
The conflict lasted for 74 days and ended on 14 June when Argentina surrendered, returning the islands to British control, under which they have remained ever since.
For the wrap job, GWR selected a power car 43040 to mark the anniversary, while the Class 255 recognised the 255 British military personnel who lost their lives during the war. A total of 649 Argentina military personnel also died, along with three Falkland Islanders.
The train vinyl features roundels paying tribute to the conflict that was waged on land, at sea and in the air.
An unveiling ceremony took place on 14 June, the exact date of the 40th anniversary of the end of the conflict, at Plymouth station in southern England and was attended by veterans from the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 and Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Sue Dann.
Caption: An unveiling ceremony was attended by veterans from the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982
“I am delighted to have been asked to unveil this locomotive,” South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 trustee Chris Jones said. “My fellow veterans and I will be very proud when we see it operating.
“We hope that it will serve as a reminder that as a country our actions are brave and honourable and in pursuit of a fairer and more peaceful world.”
GWR business assurance director Joe Graham added: “We wanted to pay our own tribute to the courageous men and women who joined the military task force and helped liberate the Falklands Islands in 1982.
“Plymouth and Devonport played a significant part in the conflict and this dedication service allowed us to honour the bravery of all those who took part in the conflict, including those who never returned home and the many more who were wounded.
“We are proud power car 43040 will carry our own Falklands 40 tribute, to be seen by thousands of customers travelling in the west of our network.”
The Falklands War wrap is the latest livery project from GWR, which has, over the years, produced a series of wraps to celebrate milestones and mark special events. Recent jobs include a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee earlier this year and a rainbow livery honouring World War Two codebreaker Alan Turing.