EXMOOR’S Sir Ranulph Fiennes, considered to be Britain’s greatest living explorer, has helped Great Western Railway (GWR) pay tribute to legendary polar adventurer Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

GWR joined forces with the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) to dedicate a train named in honour of Capt Scott, who became known as ‘Scott of the Antarctic’.

The train was named to coincide with the institute’s centenary in 2020, but the official celebration had to be postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now, GWR and the institute have finally been able to ensure one of Britain’s most iconic pioneers is rightly honoured.

Also attending the ceremony at London Paddington was Sir Ranulph, who lives near Exford and was the first explorer to visit both North and South Poles by surface means, and the first to completely cross Antarctica on foot.

Pictured at London Paddington for the Captain Robert Falcon Scott train tribute are (left to right) GWR head of external communications Dan Panes, Network Rail Western route director Marcus Jones, Exmoor resident and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dafila Scott, Falcon Scott, Friends of SPRI acting chairman Brad Borkan, and SPRI emeritus Prof Julian Dowdeswell, Emeritus.
Pictured at London Paddington for the Captain Robert Falcon Scott train tribute are (left to right) GWR head of external communications Dan Panes, Network Rail Western route director Marcus Jones, Exmoor resident and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dafila Scott, Falcon Scott, Friends of SPRI acting chairman Brad Borkan, and SPRI emeritus Prof Julian Dowdeswell, Emeritus. PHOTO: GWR. ( )

Scott, born in Plymouth, was nominated for the train naming by the public and rail staff as part of GWR’s ‘Great Westerners’ campaign to recognise past and present heroes from across the network.

Sir Ranulph said: “Before planning our groups’ attempts to break various Antarctic travel records, I naturally studied all the available works of the pioneers, especially the Norwegian and British leaders.

“By far the most impressive, and I had no favourite until writing my own biographies of Shackleton and Scott, I would have trusted my life with the latter on many grounds and in the 1980s planned our sledging details using many of his hard-learned lessons.”

SPRI emeritus Professor Julian Dowdeswell said: “Captain Scott’s two expeditions laid many of the foundations for interdisciplinary science in Antarctica, a legacy that is particularly important in today’s rapidly changing climate.

Guests at the train naming ceremony for Polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott, held at London Paddington station.
Guests at the train naming ceremony for Polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott, held at London Paddington station. PHOTO: GWR. ( )

“The institute is delighted that Scott’s achievements continue to be recognised by the naming of a GWR train in his honour.”

GWR head of external communications Dan Panes said: “It is an honour to celebrate Capt Robert Falcon Scott as one of our illustrious Great Westerners, the past and present heroes from across our network.

“Scott is quite rightly regarded as one of Britain’s most iconic pioneers, and we are proud 802011 continues to celebrate his courage and fortitude as it journeys through communities across the GWR network.”

Last month, the Friends of SPRI carried a special GWR flag celebrating ‘Great Westerner’ Scott on a voyage to the Antarctic peninsula.

Among those on the expedition was Scott’s granddaughter, Dafila, who joined her brother Falcon and other friends of the institute for the train dedication.

Scott is most famous for trying to be the first person to reach the South Pole, only to be narrowly beaten by a Norwegian explorer in 1910.

He and his team perished in Antarctica during their return journey.

SPRI investigates issues relevant to the Arctic and Antarctic and is home to the Polar Museum, in Cambridge.

In March, 2020, the Friends of SPRI undertook a centenary voyage to the Ross Sea, in Antarctica, where they unfurled a GWR flag alongside Scott’s Terra Nova Hut, at Cape Evans, Ross Island.