HISTORY has been made after two boys have become the youngest people ever to have a train named after them.

Didcot Town superfan Lincoln Callaghan, age six, and young marathon runner Henry Clearly were chosen last year as the BBC’s Make a Difference Superstars for selflessly helping out others during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, to honour their efforts, it was revealed that both boys’ names would be featured at either end of a high-speed Intercity Express Train, as Great Western Railway starts showcasing the efforts of the BBC Make a Difference Superstars from nine regions across the network.

Both boys attended the event at London Paddington Railway Station.

Lincoln was just five years old when he answered a fundraising appeal from Didcot Town.

To raise money for the football club he cycled over 100km in just one month and then sold football scratch cards to raise more than £3,500 to ‘keep the lights on’ at the Didcot club.

Henry, age seven, from neighbouring county Buckinghamshire, became extremely concerned about the increased number of people sleeping rough during the pandemic, he decided to run a marathon to raise more than £10,000 for the homeless charity, Crisis.

The National Railway Museum (NRM) believes Lincoln and Henry are the youngest to have trains named in their honour.

NRM Lead Curator Ed Bartholomew said: “Although other locomotives have been named after Royal children, these will be the youngest non-Royal children to be honoured with a train naming.”

Lincoln cycled the 100km with his father, Chris Callaghan.

Lincoln said at the unveiling: “It feels really good to have my name on the side of train. I know it will always travel in England because trains don’t usually go under water.

"It’s too far down to get to the bottom of the sea and get to another island!

"So I know this train will always visit towns and cities in England.”

His father added: “It has been quite overwhelming for me and his mum. Watching him go up there and do the unveiling – it’s something that we never thought would happen.

“He deserves it and we’re very proud of Lincoln. His fundraising certainly helped the football club.

"It got everybody talking about the club and the community and it definitely helped."

Didcot Town director and trustee Roger Neal said: “It has been incredibly difficult for us to keep going during the pandemic and the fantastic work Lincoln has done has literally helped us to keep the lights on.

“Full credit to him – we can’t thank him enough. We’re so used to seeing him cycling around the perimeter of the pitch during games and to take on this fundraising challenge was a stunning effort.”

Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Lincoln and Henry went to incredible lengths to support such worthy causes and we’re thrilled to add their names to the side of an Intercity Express Train.

“The GWR has a long and proud history of naming trains after Great Westerners – past and present heroes from across our network – and it’s a real treat to add two such kind-hearted youngsters to that list.

“It was a privilege to partner with the BBC Make a Difference campaign and the stories which featured on BBC local radio were truly overwhelming.”