TransPennine Express Marks Lifeboat Partnership With Train Naming

A TransPennine Express train has been given a new name at Newcastle Station, marking a partnership between the operator and three lifeboat charities. Passengers last week saw one of the company’s Nova 1 Class 802 trains officially named North Star, recognising its support for the RNLI, St Abbs Independent Lifeboat and Humber Rescue.

The naming ceremony brought together lifeboat volunteers, charity representatives and TPE partners for speeches and the unveiling of the name. The event underlined a shared focus on safety, drawing parallels between the work of railway staff and lifeboat crews, and acknowledging the lifesaving role played by volunteers around the UK coastline.

The partnership, launched by TPE last year, is aimed at promoting water safety and supporting fundraising for rescue operations. The train operator serves cities and towns across the North of England and into Scotland, with routes that link inland areas to popular coastal destinations such as Cleethorpes, Dunbar, Hull, Liverpool, Redcar and Scarborough.

With a large proportion of RNLI rescues involving people who have travelled from inland communities to the coast, TPE has described the partnership as a natural fit. It also reflects a historical connection, with the RNLI’s first-ever street collection taking place in Manchester in 1891, a city firmly embedded in the operator’s network.

As part of the collaboration, TPE has introduced initiatives including the option for customers to donate Delay Repay compensation directly to the lifeboat charities. Over the past year, more than £74,000 has been raised to support equipment, training and operational costs for the three organisations.

Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director for TPE said:

“Safety isn’t just part of our job; it’s our guiding principle. Naming this train North Star is a tribute to the courage of the charities who protect lives every day. Just as lifeboat crews navigate the harshest conditions to keep people safe, North Star stands as a symbol of guidance, reliability, and unwavering commitment to safety.”

Fiona Fell, Deputy Chair, RNLI, said:

“Every lifeboat launch and lifeguard rescue begins with one purpose: saving lives. Partnerships like this help us reach people long before they reach the water, reinforcing vital safety messages and generating essential funds for our volunteer crews and lifeguards. Naming this train North Star is a powerful symbol of guidance and reassurance, and we’re grateful to TransPennine Express for its continued commitment to supporting lifesaving work along our coasts.”

Ruth Hair from St Abbs Independent Lifeboat said:

“As an independent lifeboat crew, community support is absolutely vital to everything we do. This partnership not only helps raise funds but also raises awareness of water safety among people travelling to and from coastal areas. Seeing North Star unveiled is a proud moment for our volunteers and a reminder that whether by sea or by rail, keeping people safe relies on teamwork.”

Mike Dennett from Humber Rescue said:

“The Humber presents one of the most challenging rescue environments in the country, and the support we receive through partnerships like this makes a real difference to our ability to respond when people need us most. We’re proud to be recognised through the North Star train, which reflects the shared values of vigilance, reliability and safety that underpin both our work and TransPennine Express’s role in connecting communities.”

Image: TransPennine Express