A piece of Preston’s railway history is up for sale.

Advertisement

A Virgin Pendolino nameplate featuring the Preston crest is being sold by Scott Doohan, a member of Virgin Trains staff, who bought it by making a donation to a cancer charity.

The City of Preston nameplate, which is one of only two ever made, travelled up and down the West Coast Line via Preston Station for 20 years before Avanti West Coast took over the contract in 2019.

Scott said: “This is a very special piece of railway history that is unique to Preston.

“Virgin Trains finished the contract a few years ago, and on the last day of service they took the nameplates off around 10 trains. Virgin staff were then able to bid on them, with all proceeds going to Teenage Cancer Trust. We were fortunate to win.

“It is a rare collector’s piece, and if anyone is interested from Preston then I may part with it. I think it should have pride of place in a business reception or restaurant, etc. I will sell, but I hope it goes to its ‘home’.”

Scott has the full provenance and certificate of authenticity for the nameplate, which measures 60in by 13in and is in original condition.

Anyone interested in buying the nameplate can contact Scott on Twitter @SRD_eltoro68 or via email at scottdoohan1968@gmail.com.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines