THE military pride of York will be speeding across the country after the naming of a GNER power car.

The high speed locomotive was named the Royal Dragoon Guards in recognition of the regiment, which holds the Freedom of the City.

The naming ceremony was carried out at York Station during a day of events which saw three squadrons of the Royal Dragoons exercise their right to march through the city with "bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying".

The regiment, currently based at York Barracks, in Munster, Germany, was garrisoned in York in the 1700s, and helped to put out a fire which threatened to destroy York Minster in 1829.

GNER's 125mph power car was named in a colourful ceremony by the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Patrick Cordingley. It operates on the East Coast Mainline, taking thousands of passengers from York to stations between Aberdeen and London.

"Naming trains has been a long tradition and it is a fitting way to mark the continuing association between the regiment and the city," said Jonathan Metcalfe, GNER's chief operating officer.

The weekend also saw a service of dedication at the regimental church, All Saints', in Pavement, for a stained glass window commemorating former members of the regiment.

Pictured: Musician Mark Gibson, left, and Warrant Officer Richard Stacey, right, play at the naming ceremony for HST power car 43039 Royal Dragoon Guards at York Station. Those taking part in the ceremony were GNER's operations manager, Jonathan Metcalfe, second left; the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Patrick Cordingley; the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Irene Waudby; and the Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Freeman

Updated: 11:34 Monday, March 18, 2002