What started it all off: No. 40129 with wooden Dracula nameplate fitted with double-sided tape for a few minutes at Pen Yard on May 17, 1978. Several other Springs Branch‘40s’ had‘non original’ names painted on them during this period. Ron was told by traincrew that those in charge ordered their removal, but were quite happy with Ron’s efforts to resurrect the original names.
ALL PHOTOS BY RON WATSON-JONES UNLESS STATED
Pen Yard during the summer of 1978 and No. 40011 has just had its original name Mauretania reapplied by Ron freehand to the‘B Bank’ side. Ron later produced a stencil for a neater application, but never got the opportunity to do so as the loco was reallocated to Healey Mills and withdrawn early in October 1980.
JUST a few years after their introduction in the late 1950s, a batch of 25 EE Type 4s (Class 40s) were given names honouring ocean liners owned by shipping firms Cunard Line (19), Elder Dempster Lines (3) and Canadian Pacific Steamships (3).
Only Nos. D210-212 were given official naming ceremonies, the remainder (Nos. D213-225, D227-235) receiving theirs during routine works visits. The first to be named was No. D210, which became Empress of Britain at Euston on May 12, 1960; the last was No. D229 Saxonia on March 5, 1963 at Crewe Works.
No. D226 was earmarked to carry the name Media, but as far as is known it never did. Some debate continues as to whether the plates were ever fitted or not, but the lack of any photographic evidence or the presence of fixing holes in the locomotive’s bodysides suggests not. It seems as though the plates were cast, however, as one exists in Pete Waterman’s collection.