October 20, 2008 11:47

John Peel gets a train named after him

The late DJ will be honoured by a train title in his native Merseyside

The late radio DJ John Peel is set to have a train named after him in his native city of Liverpool.

Public transport coordination company Merseytravel will launch the 'John Peel' train from Liverpool's South Parkway station at around 3pm (BST) on Thursday (October 23).

Shiela Ravenscroft, Peel's wife, will be there to help launch the train.

In a statement Liverpool band Amsterdam claimed that Peel once said his second favourite song was their composition, 'Does this Train Stop On Merseyside?' (behind The Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks' – providing inspiration for the train dedication.

Ian Prose from the band will perform the song at the launch ceremony.

Ravenscroft told BBC Radio 1: "We are just really delighted that John is being honoured with this train. He would have loved it!"

John Peel died of a heart attack on October 25, 2004.

Watch a video of Amsterdam performing 'Does this Train Stop On Merseyside?'.