Competition FAQs
Name your train
We’re building 148 new trains, offering up to 148 opportunities to win. The winning names will be displayed on the side of the trains for many years to come.
The new trains will be named after:
- local place names
- landmarks
- historical sites
- mythical figures.
Entries need to be as creative as possible but should be personal to you. Want to name a train Llanwern Road because it’s the street your incredible school is on? Great! Or maybe Fflint Castle because you admire its unique fortress design? Also great! We just need to know why the name is special. For entries in Wales, names that celebrate the Welsh language are especially encouraged.
You’ll need to submit a creative explanation of why you’ve chosen the name. We’re accepting submissions in the following categories:
- Painting or drawing
- Short story
- Poem
There’ll be two stages of judging: a regional panel will select the train names from their region’s entries; and a final panel will then select our category winners and prizes will be awarded for their favourites.
You can enter the competition from Sunday 21 February until Friday 9 April.
Following the sad news of the passing of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the closing date of the competition will be extended beyond the period of mourning. More information will follow.
Judges and Prizes
There’ll be two stages of judging: a regional panel will select the train names from their region’s entries; and a final panel will then select our category winners and prizes will be awarded for their favourites.
We’re excited that our final judging panel will be:
- Grace Webb, star of Grace’s Amazing Machines
- Trystan Ellis-Morris, S4C presenter
- Eloise Williams, Children’s Laureate for Wales
- Gruffudd Owen, Bardd Plant Cymru
They’ll also be joined by the Children’s Commissioner and the Equalities Commissioner.
The regional panels will consist of representatives from local councils, transport groups, creative or third sector organisations and TfW staff. They’ll be judging the entries received in their region and naming trains that will operate nearby.
Alongside naming a name on behalf of their school, winners will receive a creative kit to kickstart their engineering ambitions and will get regular updates from their train.
The final judging panel will select category winners for each region and creative category, who will also receive a special Hornby model train for their school.
The Rules
- Up to 148 brand new trains are available to be named.
- All entries must be received by Friday 9 April 2021.
- Trains will only be named after places, landmarks, historical sites or mythical figures that are associated with places in Wales and its borders.
- A parent, guardian or teacher must apply on a child’s behalf.
