Swiss Railroad Launches An Engine Named Roger Federer

Written by: Staff on 13th November 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Swiss Railroad Launches An Engine Named Roger Federer

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning his semi final match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis tournament in Paris, France, 12 November 2011. Federer is the first qualified for the final. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

As if his fame in Switzerland and elsewhere is not already widespread, Roger Federer’s smiling likeness will now adorn a special locomotive of the national railways which will be put into use on regular passenger service.

Federer inaugurated “his” loco – named “Roger” of course – at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Basel freight yards as he began preparations for the Swiss Indoors, which he has won for four of the last five editions.

The 16-time major champion rode the engine into the yard, then stepped onto a platform for the ceremony. The initiative is backed by one of the player’s sponsors, the insurance firm National Suisse.

The company is making a contribution to Federer’s charity foundation based upon every kilometer traveled by the locomotive as it enters regular passenger service on the network.

The money will go to the Federer charity foundation which works with children in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa, focusing on early learning and basic education.

Federer, who has pretty much seen it all in public relations events, was pleased with the latest project. “I’ve never named a locomotive before, let alone one bearing my own name,” said the 30-year-old.

Jeannine Pilloud, Head of the Passenger Division at SBB, said, “Our passengers are world champions in rail travel. Now they can look forward to meeting Roger Federer, the best tennis player of all time, on all inter-city routes.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Roger Federer