A Virgin Trains locomotive has been named the “Lord Mayor of Newcastle” to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the city’s Mayoralty and Freemen.

A ceremony was held in December to commemorate the anniversary of a charter granted to allow the city’s Freemen to elect a Mayor of Newcastle. The ceremony was held at Newcastle Central Station by the Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards OBE, who is also an Honorary Freeman of the city.

The train naming is part of Newcastle City Council’s commemoration of 800 years of the Mayoralty, and we continue to work with communities across our route to promote their history and heritage.