Naming Update

After a busy couple of months for locomotive and unit namings, the latest period under review has been much quieter, with more locomotives losing their names than gaining new ones.

Yet another Great Western Railway Class 43 HST power car has received a ‘Castle’ themed name, with 43010 the latest recipient of Class 255 Castle nameplates, becoming Lydford Castle in July.

As with most of the other namings of the GWR Castle power car fleet, the nameplates for 43010 were applied without ceremony at Plymouth Laira Depot.

The only other locomotive to gain a new name this month has been Direct Rail Services 66425, which has been named Nigel J Kirchstein 19572021 after a former employee of the company, who passed away last year. It is understood a private naming ceremony was held at Crewe Gresty Bridge for family and colleagues on August 6.

As mentioned in Shunter News, 08691 has been shorn of its Terri nameplates while undergoing maintenance and repainting at Nemesis Rail, while two recently sold former DRS Class 57s – 57007 and 57311 – have also had their nameplates removed.

Another DRS locomotive to lose its name has been 88010. It has been given a distinctive Refrigerated Rail vinyl wrap and the former Aurora nameplates have been removed.

Although not a naming in the strictest sense, as Freightliner’s 66503 has been named The Railway Magazine for some time, the locomotive had additional plates attached below the nameplates in a rededication ceremony at Leeds Midlands Road Depot on August 15, stating Celebrating 125 Years 1897-2022. The rededication ceremony is part of the 125th anniversary celebrations for our sister title.