Great Western Railway's tribute to RNLI in 200th year

The railway has also applied a commemorative livery to a train as part of this special partnership to celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea.

A ceremony at London Paddington saw an RNLI 200 logo unveiled on the side of Intercity Express Train, 802008, which was named after the Penlee lifeboat RNLB Solomon Browne.

The 200th anniversary livery (Image: GWR)

The boat was lost at sea on December 19, 1981, as it endeavoured to rescue the passengers and crew of Union Star.

In all, 16 people died, including eight volunteer lifeboat crew.

The commemorative livery features 172 RNLI locations across the GWR network, stretching from Angle in south-west Wales to Selsey in West Sussex, and from Sennen Cove in Cornwall to Portishead in Bristol.

After the ceremony, the train headed towards Penzance as the 10.04am service where it was greeted by staff and volunteers from the RNLI and GWR.

The RNLI has teamed up with British explorer and TV presenter Steve Backshall for the platform safety announcements.

Lifeboat crew from Penlee, Salcombe, Torbay and Minehead stations (Image: GWR)

Mr Backshall has recorded the announcements that will be played at more than 50 stations across the GWR network.

He said: "As a family we take every opportunity to enjoy the water, so I have always had an admiration and respect for the RNLI’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards, and everything they do to keep people safe at the coast.

“Catching people as they get off the train is a perfect opportunity to advise and remind them of how they can stay safe while enjoying our wonderful coastline with their friends and family."

Adrian Carey, RNLI head of region for the south-west, Rachel Geliamassi and Mark Dowie (Image: GWR)

GWR's customer services director, Rachel Geliamassi added: “Much like ourselves, the RNLI has a long and proud history and we wanted to pay our own special thanks to an organisation responsible for saving more than 146,000 lives over the past 200 years.

“The railway celebrates its own 200th anniversary next year and, with the Great Western Railway serving so many fantastic coastal destinations, it is fitting we have been able to form this very special partnership with the RNLI.

“The safety of our customers is always of paramount importance, and we’re pleased to be able to help the RNLI in spreading their safety messages further by reminding people about the dangers of the sea.”