A POPULAR Network Rail employee who died in a car crash in June has been commemorated by colleagues by the unveiling of a specialist train named in his honour.

Gavin Roberts moved to Swindon from Dapto, New South Wales, Australia, earlier this year and his positive impact on those around him continued even after his death by saving the lives of seven others through organ donation.

The 28-year-old was a construction manager for Network Rail and worked on the High Output Plant system train that is used on the Great Western electrification programme that will see electric trains introduced the main line.

Gavin’s colleagues were devastated by his death following the two-vehicle crash on the A34 near Oxford, and arranged for the HOPs train to be named after him.

The poignant event was held at Network Rail’s High Output Operations Base in Swindon, where the HOPs trains are kept, and was attended by Gavin’s partner Meg Williamson, as well as friends and colleagues.

A moment of reflection was led by railway chaplain, Alan Thorpe, before Network Rail’s chief executive Mark Carne addressed the audience and then unveiled the Gavin Roberts plaque.

Mark said: “It is clear from the reaction of family, friends and colleagues just how special Gavin was to many people.

“It seems that he touched the lives of all that met him and it seems right to commemorate him by naming the very train he worked on.

“I hope that the Gavin Roberts train will help further keep the memory of him alive and it recognises the work and impact he had on everyone connected with Network Rail.”

Gavin’s line manager Jim Rollo said: “Gavin was a larger than life character and made friends wherever his travels took him.

“He took some of the newer members of the team under his wing and not only shared with them his extensive overhead line equipment knowledge; he also helped them grow in confidence within their role.

“Gavin’s family and partner Meg remember him as ‘the Gavin that keeps on giving.’

“Gavin was only with us for five months but he was loved by all and he will always be part of our team.”

Gavin’s girlfriend Meg, a teacher, and his closest friends Yuga Balakrishna and David Brockie were presented with a replica nameplate to mark the occasion as prayers were said and some of Gavin’s favourite songs were played.

The Gavin Roberts HOPs train is only the second to be named.

The other was named Brunel after the great engineer at a ceremony in June 2014, by the Queen.

The ceremony for Gavin was filmed by Network Rail and a video of the proceedings will be sent to his family who live in Australia and were unable to attend.