In a proud celebration of its Silver Jubilee, the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators has been honoured by GB Railfreight (GBRf) with a locomotive renaming ceremony at London Waterloo Station. On Wednesday 28th May, the nameplate on GBRf locomotive 66728 was officially changed from “Institution of Railway Operators” to “Chartered Institution of Railway Operators – Celebrating 25 Years,” marking a momentous occasion in CIRO’s 25-year history.
Hosted at Platform 19 and attended by industry figures, CIRO members, GBRf representatives, and members of the press, the event celebrated a quarter-century of CIRO’s contribution to professional excellence in the railway industry.
The ceremony began with a welcome from GBRf CEO John Smith OBE, followed by a speech from CIRO CEO Phil Sherratt. The two then unveiled the new nameplate to a round of applause and photo opportunities, capturing a milestone moment for both organisations.
John Smith OBE reflected on the event with pride, noting:
“This is a fond milestone to mark, as CIRO was formed just before I set up GB Railfreight. The sector has changed a lot since 2000 and will change a lot in the coming years, but what has been a constant is CIRO, which has done some vital work helping skilled professionals progress across the railway.”
Phil Sherratt, Chief Executive of CIRO, echoed the sentiment:
“Seeing our Chartered title proudly carried by this locomotive is a moment of great pride for CIRO. It reflects not just our evolution as a professional body over the last 25 years, but also the vital role railway operators play every day. We’re hugely grateful to GB Railfreight for helping mark this milestone in such a meaningful way—and for recognising the contribution our members make across the industry.”
This marks the second time GBRf has dedicated a locomotive to CIRO, having first named 66728 “Institution of Railway Operators” in 2008. That earlier tribute celebrated CIRO’s influence on training and development across the rail sector. Since then, CIRO has grown significantly, achieving Chartered status in 2021 and expanding its membership to over 13,000 professionals.
The renaming is one of many activities planned throughout CIRO’s Jubilee year, which include member showcases, future-focused industry events, and a Members’ Celebration Event in June. These celebrations also align with the broader Railway 200 campaign, commemorating two centuries of rail transport in the UK.
As the newly named locomotive begins its journeys across the country, it carries with it not just a name, but a legacy—celebrating CIRO’s past and driving its mission into the future.
