TRAINS of thought

摘要

In this issue of Steam Days we look at the naming policy of the LMS 'Royal Scots' and the negotiations between the LMS and the regiments whose names and crests were affixed to engines of the class. We are fortunate that we can show correspondence that took place between the LMS and the regiments concerning 'Royal Scot' namings. From my early days of trainspotting in 1942, I always found it interesting how locomotive names were selected, and how classes followed a theme. When I took up the hobby at the age of eight I only recorded named locomotives in my notebook until I acquired my first Ian Allan abc, which originally was just the GWR version. Living in Worcester at the time I had favourite named locomotives such as 'Bulldog' 4-4-0 Pershore Plum, and 4-6-0s Bride of Lammermoor, Swallowfield Park, Princess Helena, Ivanhoe, Builth Castle, St Donats Castle and Tresco Abbey. When I formed my publishing company in 1993 I named it after one of the first named locomotives that I saw, Redgauntlet, GWR 'Saint' class 4-6-0 No 2983, an engine that was withdrawn in March 1946. I was fascinated when one day I saw Great Western 'Castle' AI Lloyd's at Worcester shed, with the name Lloyd's mounted above the centre driving wheel, but the plate AI sat below the locomotive's number - 100 - on the cabside.