NOW 4709 COULD BE OFFICIALLY NAMED NIGHT OWL

THE BRIEF FROM THE BEGINNING WAS ALWAYS FOR THE LOCOMOTIVE TO CARRY THE FINAL FORM OF BR LIVERY

‘Night Owl’ - the nickname given to the GWR ‘47XX’ 2-8-0s - could be officially bestowed upon new-build example No. 4709. Enthusiasts coined the tag for the nine-strong class of Churchward heavy freight machines because much of their work was on fast overnight goods trains. Now, the Great Western Society’s 47XX Project has mooted the idea of naming No. 4709 - and Night Owl is currently the favoured choice. The proposal was floated at a meeting of around 70 members at the Kent & East Sussex Railway on May 6. A vote on the train, hauled by No. 7822 Foxcote Manor, showed the nickname to be the front-runner. However, another possibility is to use one of the 12 former broad gauge locomotive names that the GWR proposed for the ‘47XXs’ in 1927, but never applied (see panel). To fully canvass opinion, the project is now inviting all of its circa 200 members to vote, or contribute their own ideas, before making a final choice - and will be pleased to hear the opinions of Steam Railway readers. It has also been suggested that the group restoring another Churchward heavy freight engine - ex-Barry ‘42XX’ 2-8-0T No. 4253 at the KESR - could use another of the names. All votes, and other suggestions, will be entered into a draw to win a third nameplate and a footplate ride on No. 4709. Where the nameplate will be fitted is still to be finalised, said Engineering Manager Paul Carpenter - with the discussions including Danish model manufacturer Heljan, which is currently working on a OO gauge ‘47XX’. It is not known where the GWR intended the broad gauge names to be fitted - but, reckons Mr Carpenter, the most likely option is an Evening Star-style ’plate on the side of the smokebox. “The brief from the beginning was always for the locomotive to carry the final form of BR livery,” he said, “so that would fit best.” The small driving wheel splashers are considered unsuitable for a nameplate, although a straight ‘County’-style design on the running plate is another possibility. “It’s certainly an interesting aesthetic challenge,” said Mr Carpenter. With its four driving wheelsets (one new and three from exBarry ‘Large Prairie’ No. 4115) nearing completion at the South Devon Railway, No. 4709’s frames are being painted at Llangollen, and the axleboxes from ‘5205’ 2-8-0T No. 5227 restored, in preparation for the wheeling of the big 2-8-0 - which could take place later this year if funds can be raised. New volunteers are coming forward, both at Llangollen and to restore a Collett 4,000-gallon tender at Didcot - but, says Mr Carpenter: “We really need somebody to help out with publicity and social media.” He can be contacted on 07958 250533 or at pcarpenter100@btinternet.com.