CHELMSFORD’S status as a new city was reinforced at a special naming ceremony this week.

The Mayor of Chelmsford, councillor Christopher Kingsley, travelled to Liverpool Street Station in London where he named a Greater Anglia Class 90 locomotive ‘City of Chelmsford’.

Chelmsford was officially granted city status last year as part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee commemorations. The idea of the train naming came after Chelmsford City Council approached Greater Anglia with the request last year.

The naming maintains a strong tradition for Greater Anglia and previous train operators in the region to name trains after important places, people or organisations in East Anglia, reflecting the important cultural and historical heritage of the region.

The train will work the Norwich to Liverpool Street line and will be seen by travellers at main stations such as Ipswich and Colchester.

Rail Minister and Chelmsford MP Simon Burns, who also attended the ceremony, said: “Chelmsford is a thriving city with a thriving rail network which, through the determination of local partners and the Government’s wider commitment to transform the railways, will continue to prosper as a vital regional hub. I was extremely proud when Chelmsford was granted city status last year and as Rail Minister I take further delight that Greater Anglia have chosen to mark this achievement with this naming ceremony.” Last year, more than 5 million train journeys were taken from Chelmsford.