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.

---

Some books that may interest you

Shot In the Tower By: Leonard Sellers	Born of the Desert By: Malcolm James	The Bletchley Park Enigma By: Alan Johnson, Amanda Strickland
Hitler's Spies By: DAVID KAHN	French Cruisers 1922-1956 By: John Jordan, Jean Moulin	At War in Distant Waters By: Philip Pattee
Tramp Ships By: Roy Fenton	Postcards of the Army Service Corps 1902 - 1918 By: Michael Young	Hitler's Girls By: Tim Heath