It's a whole new take on how to train. For Northern Ireland football hero David Healy is on track for a special tribute — his very own train.

The Belfast and County Down Railway Trust plan to name their new engine in honour of Northern Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer.

And naturally, he’s chuffed.

“It's obviously a great honour to have anything named after you, never mind a train!” the footie star and Belfast Telegraph columnist said.

And he quipped: “I just hope that Jackie Fullerton doesn’t start making locomotive puns when commentating on Northern Ireland games now.

“But, seriously, it is an honour that I would never have imagined would happen to me and it’s humbling to be thought of in such a manner.”

Though the train society crew are ‘loco’ about him, they also have another reason for ordering up specially-cast brass name-plates with ‘David Healy MBE’ on them.

For when it’s ready, the engine will be overhauled for use on the Ballynahinch branch line junction — not far from Killyleagh where Healy hails from.

The trust has been in negotiations with Irish Rail, which has offered a unique ‘B’ class General Motors Diesel locomotive built in the decade before David was born, the 1960s. They say it’s the ‘rail’ thing.

And Northern Ireland supporters can get all aboard the Healy special — by contributing towards its purchase.

The trust is asking for pledges towards the acquisition of the train which will be painted in the green livery of the former Belfast and County Down Railway.

“A numbered certificate will be issued for each pledge honoured — and will incorporate a photograph of David in action,” the trust said.