Locomotive numbering
Contents
Renumbering in service
Steam locomotives frequently carried more than one number during their working life. Renumbering usually came about through company mergers, in particular the Grouping of 1923, and Nationalisation in 1947, from which only the GWR emerged relatively unaffected. Following Nationalisation, SR numbers were generally incremented by 30,000, LMS by 40,000 and LNER by 60,000. Companies also renumbered for other operational reasons, as happened to GWR 1450.[1]
Many diesel locomotives also carried more than one number in the BR era. A new numbering policy was introduced in 1957 with diesel locomotives being numbered in groups according to their ‘Type’ (ie power classification):
| Range | Type | Engine power |
|---|---|---|
| D1-D1999 | Type 4 | 2000 to 2999 hp |
| D2000-D2999 | Shunters | Under 300 hp |
| D3000-D4999 | Shunters | 300 to 799 hp |
| D5000-D6499 | Type 2 | 1001 to 1499 hp |
| D6500-D7999 | Type 3 | 1500 to 1999 hp |
| D8000-D8999 | Type 1 | 800 to 1000 hp |
| D9000-D9999 | Type 5 | Over 3000 hp |
Some existing locomotives were therefore renumbered under this policy, for example the 13xxx series became D3xxx/D4xxx with 13022 becoming D3022. After the end of steam the 'D' prefix was omitted, so that for example D821 became 821. Classes 35 and 52 with their cast numbers and numberplates had the 'D' painted out (or sometimes removed), although enthusiasts sometimes removed the paint to leave the original prefix and number showing.
A more significant renumbering was carried out in the early 1970s after BR introduced TOPS codes at the end of the 1960s. Diesel locomotives were allocated into classes with the class being the first two digits in the new locomotive number. D3022 was allocated into Class 08, resulting in another new number of 08015. Certain classes slated for early withdrawal were allocated a class number and never received the five figure TOPS number, these included the Class 11 and the WR diesel hydraulic Classes 14, 35, 42 and 52 now resident on the SVR.
Different numbers carried in preservation
Many locomotives have also carried more than one number in preservation. For consistency all locomotives are listed according to the last number they carried, usually that used by BR following nationalisation. Locomotives that were owned by a main line company and were sold for use in industry are listed under their last main line number. Locomotives that ran under a different number while at the SVR were:
Steam
- 686: Also ran as Manchester Ship Canal No 14 'St. John' and as No 1 'Thomas' in blue livery. Currently liveried as 686 in ICI red livery.
- 5764: Also ran as L95 in LT livery.
- 7812 Erlestoke Manor: Also ran as sister 7802 Bradley Manor for a short time in 2012 for the visit of Olympian Bradley (now Sir Bradley) Wiggins.
- 34027 Taw Valley: Also ran as sisters 34045 'Ottery St Mary' and 34036 'Westward Ho!', and in maroon livery as ‘Hogwarts Express’. Appeared as 34022 'Exmoor' and 34046 'Braunton' while at the West Somerset Railway in spring 2004
- 42968: Also ran as LMS 2968. Being restored as LMS 13268.
- 43106: Photographed in 2010 carrying number 43126.
- 46443: Also ran as LMS 6443. Currently liveried as 46443.
- 47383: Also ran as LMS 7383 and as No 1 'Thomas' in blue livery. Currently liveried as 47383.
- 48773: Also ran as LMS 8233, cosmetically restored as WD307, currently liveried as 48773. Appeared as 48188 in 1971 for a film concerning the heroism of the late Driver John Axon GC[2].
- 45000: Ran as LMS 5000.
- 45690 Leander: Ran as LMS 5690.
- 61994 The Great Marquess: Ran as LNER 3442 while resident, but as 61994 when revisiting for the Spring 2010 gala.
Visitors with changed identities at the SVR
- 4936 Kinlet Hall: Ran as sister 4930 Hagley Hall.
- 47327: Butterley’s LMS Jinty appeared as ‘Thomas’ for two weekends in Spring 2012.
Diesel
- Ruston and Hornsby Shunter 319290: Also ran as fictitiously numbered D2957 prior to a repaint in May 2017.
- BR Class 27 27059: Also ran as D5410 in green livery.
- BR Class 42 D821 Greyhound: In 1996 ran as "Colin Massingham - Preservation Pioneer". Also carried "Despatch" plates as D812
- 50031 Hood: Also ran in BR Blue livery with her pre-TOPS number D431
- 50035 Ark Royal: Also ran as fictitious 50135 in 'Loadhaul' livery
- 50044 Exeter: Also ran in BR Blue livery with her pre-TOPS number D444
- 50049 Defiance: Also ran as 50149 in Railfreight Distribution two tone grey livery and in BR Blue livery with her pre-TOPS number D449
- D1015 Western Champion: Also ran with numbers and plates from scrapped sister D1058 Western Nobleman
The following is not normally resident on the SVR, but from time to time visit the railway for diesel galas and for attention by the owning groups' engineering staff.
- 50007 Hercules: Also ran as 50007 as 'Edward Elgar' in green livery when visiting for galas.
In addition locomotives have run under other identities for film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway