Dylan's poetry in motion

All change: Dylan's daughter, Aeronwy, does the honours at the naming event

A commuter train has been named in honour of Dylan Thomas as his home city gears up to two months of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.

Thomas' daughter, Aeronwy, officiated at the ceremony in Swansea to rename the Wales and Borders sprinter service the "Dylan Thomas 1914-1953".

Wales' most famous bard died aged just 39 in November 1953 in New York after yet another mammoth drinking bout.

Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre is the focal point for the events marking the half century since his death.

In that time, appreciation of his work, and interest in his womanising lifestyle, have continued to grow.

The Dylan Thomas 1914-1953 is one of seven trains in the Wales and Borders fleet which now bear quotations from Thomas' poem, A Winter's Tale.

Timetable of a life: Thomas died aged 39 in 1953

All seven work the firm's Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury, through some of the most scenic parts of Wales.

Ms Thomas, 60, said she believed her father would have welcomed the move to bring his name and work to the rail-travelling public as he loved travelling by train.

She said: "It seems a fitting tribute.

"In a sense, it gives me the feeling that my father is really, finally accepted by ordinary people.

"I mean just ordinary people who take the train rather than academics or rich people.

'Cultural icon

"It gives me the impression he has finally been taken to the hearts of ordinary Welsh people.

"For many years he was not accepted in some quarters, firstly because he did not write in Welsh and also because people were embarrassed by his lifestyle.

"But after this I feel he is accepted across the board as a cultural icon."

The ceremony at Swansea station was followed by a brief reception at the city's Dylan Thomas Centre, where curator, Shaun Keir said events in Swansea would be particularly concentrated between October 27 and November 9.

"They are the dates on which he was born and when he died respectively," said Mr Keir.

'Celebrity fans'

"Aeronwy herself will be here in Swansea for the full two weeks and many celebrity fans of Dylan will attend to pay homage to his name in their own way.

"Comedian Alexei Sayle will be here over the period as will Ralph McTell, the musician, and the line-up we have is phenomenal.

"The eyes of the world will be turning to Swansea and anyone wishing to see a full list of what we have planned should look at our web site."