AN engine named after former train driver Robin Gould passed through his home station on the day of his funeral.

Mr Gould, who lived in West End, Westbury, with wife Ruby, who died at the age of 74 on March 12, began his railway career on the Somerset and Dorset Railway, before transferring to Westbury loco depot, where he later became a driver.

After retiring in 2004, Mr Gould received a call to work part-time as an on-track machine route conductor for Colas Rail, then known as Seco-Rail.

The Class 47 locomotive, called Robin of Templecombe, was named after Mr Gould during a presentation at Templecombe station, following his second retirement in November 2008.

Daughter, Sandra Bartlett, of North Bradley, said: “It was a lovely gesture from Colas Rail to bring the train to Westbury station and it made a difficult occasion much more bearable.

“It was really nice for the rail community to come together last Friday and show their support for Dad. There was only standing space in church. He was a true gentleman who was always happy. The railway was a huge part of his life, so it was only fitting the hearse stopped off by the train en route to the funeral.”

Mr Gould began his 55-year rail career in 1954.

Simon Ball, Colas head of freight services, said: “It is quite a rare feat to have a train named after you and he was completely surprised when we did it, but it was well deserved.”