Pete Waterman gets locomotive named in his honour

The music mogul has served as president of the Railway Benefit Fund

Veteran music producer and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman OBE has had a locomotive named in his honour.

Freight train operator Freightliner held a naming ceremony at Crewe railway station in Cheshire on Wednesday to mark the Coventry-born producer's contribution to the industry.

The music mogul has served as president of the Railway Benefit Fund over the past five years.

The charity, which supports current and former railway workers and their families, has raised almost £2 million in donations during his tenure.

Chief executive Jo Kaye described the 77-year-old as a well-known railway devotee who had championed the industry and its workforce.

"He has been instrumental in making our fundraising events a success, always finding the time to engage with railway workers nationwide, actively supporting and promoting all range of media and hospitality events," Ms Kaye said.

Mr Waterman is not only a music legend but also a huge lover of trains

The loco naming was designed as an acknowledgement of his contribution and a thank you from the charity and families that had been supported.

"I have known Pete throughout my railway career," added Freightliner Group chief executive Tim Shoveller.

"He is a true railway supporter, always happy to give up his time and contribute to the benefit of the railways."

Life-long love

In April, Waterman's Railnuts team of train enthusiasts set a new record for the world's largest portable model railway.

A replica of a section of the West Coast Main Line went on display at the NEC in Birmingham with nearly 1km (0.6 miles) of track.

Waterman, who has almost two dozen number one hits to his name, previously said he had modelled railways since childhood.

"I’ve never grown out of it, it’s been part of my life all the way through," he told BBC CWR.

"You go in your model railway room, it’s so complicated you can’t worry about everything else, you absorb yourself in the detail."