A SPECIAL train which honours the servicemen and women who have given their lives in conflict is now carrying people between Colchester and London.
The new livery, unveiled on Thursday, is dedicated to fallen veterans in armed conflicts, ahead of Armistice Day.
The livery has been applied to an commuter train and includes the words Lest We Forget surrounded by poppies, towards both ends and on both sides of the train.
The train displayed at Colchester is one of three with the special livery.
Head of Corporate Affairs at Greater Anglia, Jonathan Denby said: “It’s really important for us and is something that means a lot to the company.
“Many of our staff is some cases have had a previous career in the military and have relations who have been in the military as well.
“It is of course important for us as a nation to remember everybody at this time of the year and to think of all those people who have given their service to their country – both the ultimate sacrifice in some cases and everybody who serves in the military.
“These trains are also going to have these liveries permanently and we think what we have done is a really good idea."
The trains operate between Liverpool Street and Cambridge, between Liverpool Street and Clacton, Harwich, and Ipswich, and on many other Greater Anglia routes across much of Essex and Hertfordshire.
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Rankin, Commander of Colchester Garrison was in attendance, as well as Royal British Legion representatives.
The Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal organiser, Jackie Mason said: "I think it's very important and because it's visual as well, people get to see it and it's on not just one train, so it doesn't matter whether you're living Colchester, London, Norwich, Cambridge, people will see it.
“Having the poppies, which is the symbol and the larger writing, it’s simplistic but to me it’s giving a message just visually.
“It’s fantastic news that it will stay on the trains for a year, so a lot of people will see this and that is the aim - for as many people to see this and to remember.
"Seeing it has made me quite emotional."
For more information on the livery designs, visit https://tinyurl.com/Greater-Anglia-poppy
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