Naming

gobnaitolunacy

What are folks thoughts on this?

Is it outdated? Does the cost outweigh publicity value, if any?
Does the general public even care if the loco or railcar hauling their train is named or not?
Should railcar sets be named or should it be solely reserved for locos?

Closer to home, what would you think of the 071s getting christened?

corktina

just the 071s and more prominently than on the 201s which most people wouldn't realise have names

Please: no Politicians or Patriots...perhaps tourist attractions would be a good idea, thos near the railway of course.

gobnaitolunacy

corktina wrote: »

just the 071s and more prominently than on the 201s which most people wouldn't realise have names

Please: no Politicians or Patriots...perhaps tourist attractions would be a good idea, thos near the railway of course.

Naming after personages is a minefield, given our history.
Maybe mountains along the same lines as the 201 river theme?
The things I dislike about the 201's are the plates are a bit small, coupled with the need to have them in two languages to try and please everyone.

corktina

Mountains? a bit GNR isn't it?

Now Queens would be a diiferent matter!

gobnaitolunacy

corktina wrote: »

Mountains? a bit GNR isn't it?

Now Queens would be a diiferent matter!

Or pre-Christian female deities more like!

corktina

not QE2 then?

gobnaitolunacy

corktina wrote: »

not QE2 then?

Oh thought you meant the 800 class for a sec , mentioned in many books as being all named after Queens.
The GSWR did name one loco after Queen Vic, but the plates didn't stay put for very long, the GSW not really big into naming. Likewise the Cavan & Leitrim, but the C&L plates were unofficially removed for political reasons, plates were found buried and re-attached, then they got whipped off again and disappeared for good!

corktina

i did :-)

Cookie_Monster

They should name them like ships, but maybe on the more Star Trek end of the spectrum than a lot of the crappy current ship names

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Starfleet_starships_ordered_by_class

corktina

DFDS is an obvious choice
Also Celtic Link, Aer Lingus,Irish Ferries/Stena and various other Transport Companies (Citylink maybe or Aircoach :-))

also Cultra/ Downpatrick etc to link to Heritage Transport

William Dargan of course and what about Bianconi and Prof Drumm also

and

top of my list,(although at the bottom) paint a couple in Hereitage Liveries and name them Great SOuthern and Western and Midland Great Western (etc)

Rocky Bay

The Long Island Rail Road used to names engines after employees. I believe that practice is no longer followed. ( The L.I.R.R. operates on Long Island part of New York state.)

steamengine

They should name them after those who show most interest in them, namely us. Judgement Day, Corktina, Gobnait O'Lunacy (there's a fine name), Oscar Bravo etc etc, unfortunately my handle might lead to confusion. 082 already has a name ' The Institute of Engineers of Ireland'

Captain Chaos

steamengine wrote: »

. 082 already has a name ' The Institute of Engineers of Ireland'

226 has a name too besides it's River plates, can't remember it now.

NIR named it's 111s after the northern counties, actually Northern Counties is one of their names.

I liked what Virgin did with it's class 57s, they were mainly assigned as rescue locos for failed trains. Thunderbird locos to the rail fans and so they named them after characters in the Thunderbirds.

Hilly Bill

Maybe it would be good for the spotters if they named them like the Stobart trucks but thats all. Train passengers in general are more concerned in getting a seat for their journey than what the train is called.

corktina

Captain Chaos wrote: »

I liked what Virgin did with it's class 57s, they were mainly assigned as rescue locos for failed trains. Thunderbird locos to the rail fans and so they named them after characters in the Thunderbirds.

pathetically meaningless to everyone else pretty much!

Lets follow NIR and go with the old company names for a few

gobnaitolunacy

Naming in the uk has gotten really silly, maybe the sci-fi nerds may appreciate the Thunderbirds names.

http://www.video125.co.uk/forum/discussion/773/most-ridiculous-name-for-a-locounit/p1

Captain Chaos

corktina wrote: »

pathetically meaningless to everyone else pretty much!

Lets follow NIR and go with the old company names for a few

How would they be any different then seeing as no one besides spotters actually pays attention to what is printed on a loco.

You can use that attitude and viewpoint to cover against anything really.

How many people would even know that they were the old company names unless they were told of the significance? Not the average commuter punter.

Captain Chaos

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Naming in the uk has gotten really silly, maybe the sci-fi nerds may appreciate the Thunderbirds names.

http://www.video125.co.uk/forum/discussion/773/most-ridiculous-name-for-a-locounit/p1

Thats different in the UK, they are spotters nicknames for locos not their names like the 57s got with Virgin. The 57s are known as the body snatchers to UK spotters becasue they are 47 bodyshells with GM powerplants. 59s are super sheds, 66s are sheds, 67s are skips, 37s are tractors etc.

The class 91s got named under BR but when GNER bought the 91 fleet they removed the names and there was a petition to rename again.

corktina

Captain Chaos wrote: »

Thats different in the UK, they are spotters nicknames for locos not their names like the 57s got with Virgin. The 57s are known as the body snatchers to UK spotters becasue they are 47 bodyshells with GM powerplants. 59s are super sheds, 66s are sheds, 67s are skips, 37s are tractors etc.

The class 91s got named under BR but when GNER bought the 91 fleet they removed the names and there was a petition to rename again.

Do UK spotters actually like these locos that they call insulting names?

corktina

Captain Chaos wrote: »

How would they be any different then seeing as no one besides spotters actually pays attention to what is printed on a loco.

You can use that attitude and viewpoint to cover against anything really.

How many people would even know that they were the old company names unless they were told of the significance? Not the average commuter punter.

well, maybe they might see an historic old company name on an attactively liveried loco and Google it. That's educational, were they to do the same with a loco called "Lady Penelope", it would be hardly that.

Naming in the UK is often done to butter up freight customers etc and it is of little or no relevance to anyone else.

Captain Chaos

corktina wrote: »

Do UK spotters actually like these locos that they call insulting names?

No not really. Most don't like the 66s because they removed and replaced the classic British locos form front line freight. They love their 37s, 47s, and 56s.
Think they don't like the 67s and 70s down to their looks mainly. Don't even know what they call the 70s. The class 60s are in a grey area, the last British built diesel locos, more powerful than the 66s but less reliable.