A MAINLINE diesel locomotive has been named 'Royal Corps of Signals' to mark a 33-year association with the Swanage Railway.

During that time some 5,000 soldiers from the regiment have worked to install telephone and communication equipment along the heritage line.

The naming of the 129-tonne locomotive took place at Swanage railway station on Armed Forces' Day.

Swanage Railway volunteer Frank Roberts, who also served in the Royal Corps of Signals for 25 years, said: "It was a great day, the locomotive naming was a very proud moment for everyone in the Royal Corps of Signals, both past and present.

"It is wonderful to think that the Royal Corps of Signals will be seen countrywide as the locomotive hauls freight trains across the national railway network.

"I'm very grateful to John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, for kindly allowing one of the company's locomotives to be named after the Royal Corps of Signals.

"I would also like to thank the Swanage Railway for allowing the naming to take place at Swanage station and for staging a special train – hauled by No. 66 756 – carrying dignitaries and guests. It was a memorable day and one that I won't forget for a very long time."

Performing the honours in front of guests, members of the military and the public, were Major John Crackett, of the Royal Corps of Signals - whose base is at Blandford. GB Railfreight managing director John Smith was also present.

The Royal Corps of Signals carried out its first exercise on the Swanage Railway during 1984 when the fledgling heritage line had only been running trains for five years.

Then, its soldiers installed line side telephone poles and cables between Swanage station and the one-mile mark at the newly-built Herston Halt which was then the limit of the Swanage Railway's steam train operations.

As the Swanage Railway has steadily extended its train operations – to the three mile point at Harman's Cross in 1988 and the five mile point to Corfe Castle and Norden in 1995 – so have members of the Royal Corps of Signals carried out exercises to install line side telephone poles, phone lines and also telephone exchanges.

Swanage Railway Company director Mark Woolley said: "Everyone on the Swanage Railway would like to thank the Royal Corps of Signals for its generous help and support over the past 33 years which is very much appreciated – long may it continue."