Press release —
Commemorative poppy train launched by rail operator ahead of Remembrance Day
A commemorative poppy train has been launched by Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) as a permanent tribute to the Armed Forces communities and all who have served ahead of Remembrance Day.
GTR, which operates Thameslink, unveiled its special Thameslink poppy train at London Blackfriars station yesterday on London Poppy Day (29 October) - a flagship Royal British Legion event which sees thousands of military personnel and volunteers fundraise at stations across the capital to support serving and veteran communities.
Members of GTR’s Armed Forces Network, volunteers from the Royal British Legion, and the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery attended the unveiling, where guests could see the poppy on either side of the front and rear carriages on train 700045 - a nod to 1945 when World War Two officially ended.
The event, organised by GTR’s Armed Forces Network, builds on the rail operator’s commitment to the Armed Forces community after GTR signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2022. The agreement aims to help Armed Forces leavers back into employment and ensures that those who serve, or who have served, are treated fairly in the workplace.
Chair of GTR's Armed Forces Network and RAF veteran, Robert Jordan, said: “We’re proud to have launched the Thameslink poppy train as a lasting tribute to the Armed Forces communities across our network. The railway and Armed Forces share a long connection, and this train serves as a visible reminder of the service and sacrifice of serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families.
"As we approach Remembrance Day, we’re encouraging passengers to donate to the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal so they can make a real impact on veterans’ lives and their families.”
Army veteran and On-Board Supervisor, Ryan Mayo, attended the poppy train unveiling and shared why Remembrance Day is significant to him.
“Remembrance Day is about reconnecting with fellow veterans, rekindling old friendships, and sharing stories with people who understand exactly what that part of my life was like. It's a chance to reflect on the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that servicemen and women have given to defend our country, but it's also about community.”
GTR’s Armed Forces Network was formed in 2024 to help the rail operator attract talent from the Armed Forces, providing equal opportunities for veterans. Members of the Network recently launched a new mailbox scheme at Crawley station to help homeless veterans and blue light workers reconnect with society by providing them with a secure, permanent postal address.
Case study:
Ryan Mayo, 52, joined the Army at just 16-years-old and served for five years until he suffered a serious back injury and was medically discharged. After two decades of running pubs, Ryan embarked on a new challenge and joined Southern as an On-Board Supervisor in 2022. He is an independent author, drawing on his experiences in the Army. Read his story here.
Notes to editors
- GTR has also launched a second Thameslink poppy train – 700145 – which customers will be able to see across the network
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Regions
For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.
GTR
GTR operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
About DFTO
DFTO works with train operators and Network Rail to lay the foundations for Great British Railways (GBR) - working together to deliver a better railway for everyone in Britain. Ahead of the establishment of GBR in 2027, DFTO is responsible for bringing privately operated passenger services into public ownership, ensuring stability, accountability and continuity for customers and taxpayers. The group’s current train operating companies are: c2c, Chiltern Railways, Greater Anglia, GTR, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and WM Trains. DFTO now runs 12,000 rail services every day and delivers over one billion customer journeys across its networks each year.
