Naming Update

The period under review has seen GB Railfreight name another two of its 10 Class 60s in the Peak theme, as previously carried by the Class 44s. 60047 now carries the Scafell Pike name once carried by first-built 44001 (D1) back in 1959, and 60095 has been named Whernside, with the nameplates applied to the locomotive in March; this name was previously carried by 44006 (D6). Unlike 60047's orange and yellow paintwork, 60095 carries GBRF livery. In Poland, Freightliner has reapplied the Driver Steve Dunn (George) nameplates on recently-exported 66526. The nameplates were removed prior to the export but have been reapplied in memory of the driver who was tragically killed in the rail accident at Great Heck, near Selby, on February 21, 2001. For its renaming, 66526 now carries its name in English on one side, with the other carrying the Polish translation of Maszynista Steve Dunn (George). In terms of those locomotives and units losing their nameplates, the repainting of 57310 into GBRF livery has seen it shorn of its Pride of Cumbria nameplates applied by previous operator Direct Rail Services. Nameplates have been removed from three of the DRS Class 68s sub-leased to Transpennine Express as part of the de-branding and hand back works being carried out by DRS before the former TPE locomotives are returned to Beacon Rail. Noted as having had their nameplates removed during March and April were 68023/029/030.

The introduction of the Alstom Class 730s onto the Cross City line in Birmingham from mid-april means a number of the Class 323 EMUS are being prepared for transfer across to Northern. Noted with their Cross City station-themed names removed during April were 323201/202/205/209.

The final de-naming to note is that of Merseyrail Class 507 EMU 507020, which lost John Peel upon withdrawal. 507020 was dispatched for scrapping at Sims Metals in Newport, along with 507031, from Birkenhead on March 27.