1st July 2005

George Gray has been the recipient of many scientific awards for his work, including The Kyoto Prize, The Queen's Award for Technological Achievement and The Rank Prize for Optoelectronics, as well as being a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy and a Commander of the British Empire. In recognition of the key role that George has played in the modern history of Hull, he has recently been honoured as a pioneer by Hull Trains.

Hull Trains is naming its new fleet of four Class 222 Pioneer trains after key figures from its home town. In honour of George's pioneering work in the field of liquid crystals and the reputation he built for the University of Hull, the first train in the fleet has been christened Professor George Gray. The naming ceremony was held on 30th June at the Paragon Station in Hull and was attended by four generations of George's family, dignitaries from Hull Trains and representatives of the British Liquid Crystal Society.

Mark Leving, Hull Trains' Managing Director, said: "When we were looking to name our new fleet of Class 222 Pioneers, Professor George Gray was one of the first people that we considered because of the effect that his work has had on the local community as well as the global market. He is a modern pioneer."

George Gray commented: "I was very touched and surprised when Hull Trains approached me about naming a train after me. The company is doing great things for the city and I'm delighted and honoured to have one of these splendid trains bearing my name."

Professor George Gray and the other trains in the fleet, which have yet to be named, will travel daily between Hull and London Kings Cross. The naming of this train will guarantee that George's place in the history of the Humberside region is remembered by its residents long into the 21st century.

Author: Martin A. Bates

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