British Steam Military Connections

In Great Britain there existed a practice of naming steam railway locomotives. The names chosen covered many and varied subjects, however a large number of those represented direct links with military personnel, regiments, squadrons, naval vessels, aircraft, battles and associated historic events. Memorably the Southern Railway (SR) created a Battle of Britain class of Light Pacific locomotives, which were named in recognition of Battle of Britain squadrons, airfields, aircraft and personnel. The Great Western Railway (GWR) re-named some of its express passenger Castle Class engines after Second World War aircraft. Names were displayed in varying styles on both sides of the locomotives, additionally some nameplates were adorned with ornate crests and badges. Long after the demise of mainline steam, rescued nameplates are still much sort after collectors' items, which when offered for sale command high prices. This generously illustrated publication highlights the relevant steam locomotives at work and explains the origins of the military names.

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Some books that may interest you

The Panavia Tornado: A Photographic Tribute By: Michael Leek	Sheffield in The Great War By: Peter Warr	The WAAF At War By: John Frayn Turner
In Action with the SAS By: Roy Close	Cameos of the Western Front: Salient Points Four By: Ted Smith, Tony Spagnoly	Auschwitz By: Sybille Steinbacher Translated by: Shaun Whiteside
Epehy By: Bill Mitchinson	From Sapper to Spitfire Spy By: David Greville-Heygate, Sally-Anne Greville-Heygate	Four Days in September By: Jason R. Abdale