Tunstead Quarry remember fallen heroes

Fifteen men who worked in the quarry industry and died during the Battle of the Somme have been remembered with a specially-named locomotive.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Nov 2016, 08:13 GMT
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 15:49 GMT
Unveileing of the new memorial freight train at Tarmac Tunstead.Unveileing of the new memorial freight train at Tarmac Tunstead.
Unveileing of the new memorial freight train at Tarmac Tunstead.

More than 50 people attended the unveiling of ‘Poppy’, a Freightliner class 66 diesel engine, which was christened in honour of the men from Buxton Lime Firms, now Tarmac Tunstead Quarry, who lost their lives fighting for their country.

Viv Russell, lime and powders director at Tarmac’s Tunstead site, said: “We’re really pleased to celebrate our local heritage and commemorate the bravery of those men who fought and died in the Battle of the Somme with this fitting tribute.”

Poppy is part of the Freightliner locomotive fleet delivering limestone products over a five-year contract for Tarmac, awarded earlier this year as part of the leading sustainable construction solution company’s expansion of its rail freight operations.

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Poppy name plate at Tarmac Tunstead.Poppy name plate at Tarmac Tunstead.
Poppy name plate at Tarmac Tunstead.

Adam Cunliffe, UK MD for Freightliner, said: “Naming our Freightliner locomotive 66614 ‘Poppy’ will serve as a continual reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by many during the First World War.”

Inspiration was taken from a large copper poppy sculpture produced earlier this year by three Tarmac Buxton apprentices to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.