Public names new Swedish express Trainy McTrainface

ABC
Jul 21, 2017, updated Jul 21, 2017

MTR Express says the naming of Trainy McTrainface will be "receieved with joy by many". Photo: MTR Express

An express train running between two major Swedish cities will be named Trainy McTrainface, after the railway company opened up the name to a public vote.

MTR Express, with Swedish newspaper Metro, opened up a poll to name four new trains running between the capital Stockholm and Gothenburg on the country’s west coast.

Trainy McTrainface, which received 49 per cent of the vote, was the most popular name.

Two other trains will be called Estelle — named after the 5-year-old princess of Sweden, and Glenn — a popular name in Gothenburg. The fourth will be named by a staff member, the company said.

The unsuccessful names were Hakan, Miriam and Poseidon.

The RRS Sir David Attenborough was to be called Boaty McBoatface. Photo: Natural Environment Research Centre

The name was inspired by Boaty McBoatface — the moniker chosen by the public to a British research vessel which was eventually shafted in favour of RRS Sir David Attenborough.

“We like this name as we think that Boaty McBoatface from UK kind of got his revenge now by his cousin Trainy McTrainface winning this poll,” a spokesperson told the ABC.

The name Boaty McBoatface was instead given to a remotely operated submarine aboard the polar research ship.

While the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council may have regretted opening their naming poll to the public, MTR Express said they would be sticking with the people’s choice.

Trainy McTrainface will be named at official celebrations in Gothenburg and Stockholm in upcoming months, along with the other trains.

The naming will be “received with joy by many, not only with Sweden”, MTR Express said.