Pink glittery train unveiled to celebrate Manchester Pride

A glittery pink train has been unveiled ahead of this weekend’s Manchester Pride.

The train was launched Manchester-based intercity train company TransPennine Express, and will serve the route from the North and into Scotland until the autumn.

The company says the gesture is intended “to promote Manchester Pride and the work they do all year round to campaign for equality, challenge discrimination, celebrate LGBT life and support LGBT organisations, charities and communities”.

It will also raise funds for the Pride via charity collections.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “TransPennine Express has done us proud with the pride train this year.

“It’s fantastic to be able to work with such an important local organisation and we’re grateful for the support the team provides in raising awareness for the causes that we support. I can’t wait to see the train out on the tracks spreading the word!”

Kathryn O’Brien, TPE Customer Experience Director, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to team up with Manchester Pride and specially decorate one of our trains to support the fantastic work they do all year round for the LGBT community.

“TPE are an employer committed to increasing our diversity, and by continuing to work together with Manchester Pride we will make big steps to ensure that our workforce is a mix of people that reflects the diverse communities that we serve.”

Incredibly, it isn’t the first LGBT-themed train in the UK.

Transport for London launched a rainbow train on the Docklands Light Railway back in 2015.

Never the twain shall meet, however – the two lines are 200 miles apart.

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