Engine named after signalman who averted disaster

The signalman's son David Taylor said he was proud to unveil the locomotive named after his father

A locomotive has been named after a signalman whose quick thinking prevented a train crash 40 years ago.

Willie Taylor was on duty at the Carlisle signalling centre when a freight train broke in two on 1 May 1984.

The 57-year-old managed to divert the carriages into a bridge and the River Caldew, instead of the city's station where passengers were boarding a train.

To mark the anniversary of his actions, a locomotive has been named in his honour at the station, attended by his "proud" son David Taylor.

"My dad diverted a train which caused quite an incident, but averted a much bigger incident, and thankfully no-one was injured," he said.

Interviewed after the near-disaster Willie Taylor, refuted claims that he was a hero and said he was "just" doing his job

At the time, the out-of-control rear section of the Liverpool-to-Glasgow Freightliner train was headed towards the station, where passengers were boarding a service to London.

Mr Taylor, who died the following year, was praised for saving the city's station and town centre from being caught up in disaster.

Interviewed hours after his actions, the signalman said he was not a hero and was just doing his job.

He said he would do the same thing again, did not need time to recover from the ordeal and would clock on for his shift the next day.

The signalman diverted the broken train away from Carlisle station where passengers were boarding an early morning train to London

"It is interesting to know that dad was on the ball at 5.30 in the morning after a night shift," Mr Taylor Jr said.

"He must have been a really dedicated signalman. He sadly passed away a year later and naming a locomotive after him makes it all the more poignant."

The signalman's sons Ian Taylor (front) and David Taylor said their father was "dedicated" to his job

David Hunter, senior regional manager for Network Rail, said it was "great" for the family to take part in the commemoration.

"It is right that we celebrate the anniversary, things could have been different and the fact that we're celebrating somebody local and the actions that they took is brilliant, especially for the family."