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

The Involuntary American By: Carol Gardner	Hull at War 1939-45 By: David Bilton, Malcolm K Mann	Poxed and Scurvied By: Kevin Brown
The Truth About Rudolf Hess By: James Douglas-Hamilton	Bill Lancaster: The Final Verdict By: Ralph Barker	Korean War - Chinese Invasion By: Gerry van Tonder
Cold War Jet Combat By: Martin Bowman	Eagles in the Dust By: Adrian Coombs-Hoar	American Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles By: Michael Green