A NEW high-speed train which will offer more opportunities for rail travellers from York and the area to visit London has been officially named after vet-turned-author James Herriot.

York city MP Hugh Bayley visited York Station for the official naming ceremony and to see the new locomotive on its journey from Sunderland to Kings Cross Station.

This journey was a preview of Grand Central’s new additional services between Sunderland and Kings Cross that will commence in August. This new service will allow more opportunities for rail travellers to visit London.

It is part of the support from Grand Central for local communities along the route that the name James Herriot was given to this train. Mr Bayley said “James Herriot did a lot to promote tourism in Yorkshire with links to the Yorkshire Moors and the Dales and I am pleased that this train is being named after him.”