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Band's 150th celebration travels the East Coast rails
Robert Sutcliffe EAST Coast train operator GNER is hoping to hit the right note with travellers with the naming of a locomotive after a world-renowned Yorkshire brass band.
Early morning rail passengers in Bradford were treated to a tune or two when GNER officials joined musicians at the special naming ceremony to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Black Dyke Band.
The train was unveiled in the band's home city on Saturday and will travel the length of the GNER route, calling at stations from London, through the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North-East of England, to Inverness and Aberdeen in the north of Scotland.
The Black Dyke Band has performed with the Beatles, the Beautiful South, Lesley Garrett and Sir Elton John among others; plays the music on the BBC show Ground Force, and also plays live to more than 50,000 people every year at venues nationwide.
It has been British champions 20 times, a title it currently holds, is reigning European champion and ranked number one in the world.
Director of music Dr Nicholas Childs said: "In the 150-year history of the band, we have achieved many great things. During the 1970s, the band received the freedom of the City of Bradford and therefore it is fitting that we have been honoured in Bradford again with the naming of the GNER train."
Chief operating officer of GNER Jonathan Metcalfe said: "Their music is known to millions of people across Britain and beyond, and now their name will be seen by passengers the length of the East Coast Main Line. We wish the band every success for the future."
The band is made up of 29 amateur musicians from all walks of life, including schoolteachers, university lecturers and construction engineers, with an average age of 27.
robert.sutcliffe@ypn.co.uk
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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