The LNER Encyclopedia

just seen a of picture a A4 no 1934 named bryan with ner on the tender, it did look odd and, how long did it keep that name and what colour was it

If you can find a copy - Plates 50, 51 and 52 within Brian Morrison's "Power 0f the A4s" shows all three temporary re-names.

Briefly, one Mr. Fitzherbert-Wright then a newly appointed director of the LNER ( also immortalised by the naming of B1 (6) 1249 ) had, in August 1944, A4 locomotive 4486 Merlin fitted with temporary name and number plates to honour his three children.

The numbers were the yeaers of the childs birth.

1928 Brigid
1931 Davina
1934 Bryan ( Third time lucky ?? )

Merlin would have been in wartime black.

Peculiar goings-on during wartime........ perhaps "Power of the Directors" but NOT the D10 / 11 sort.

third-rail wrote:just seen a of picture a A4 no 1934 named bryan with ner on the tender, it did look odd and, how long did it keep that name and what colour was it

Surely you mean NE on tender although i can conjure up an A4 in full NER livery.

There is an article on page 29 of this months Heritage Railway (issue 150) detailing these temporary renames and a picture of 'Bryan' AKA Merlin in wartime black

Yes the Heritage Railways item implied the nameplates were cast, but I thought they were wooden? (wartime and all).
Also, I couldn't understand why they listed it under "news"!?


Richard

It is quite obvious from the original Doncaster negative register that these namings were carried out over several days, Merlin then returning to traffic as itself. Memories from contemporary staff at the Plant were that the 'plates' were wooden.

richard wrote:Yes the Heritage Railways item implied the nameplates were cast, but I thought they were wooden? (wartime and all).
Also, I couldn't understand why they listed it under "news"!?


Richard

maybe because it was un-news-ual !
Jim Brodie