On a recent visit to the NYMR, I indulged in a pint of Black Sheep at the Goathland Hotel, where I photographed ‘The Goathland’ nameplate, above the fireplace (‘The Aidensfield’ with ‘The’ in the wrong place, in ‘Heartbeat’).
The following day, I photographed a ‘The Goathland’ nameplate in the NRM.
(Sorry about the Patriot)
Both have the fox facing right, and would, therefore, have been on the right-hand side of the loco. Which is the real one? I suspect the NRM version is a replica, but then, why 'The Goathland' - 'The York and Ainsty' would have been more appropriate?
More differences than that - look at the As and the G in the word itself. Definitely not from the same casting, one must be replica, therefore, or a replacement made for the locomotive at a later date...?
I would say the one in the pub is the replica as it bears no constructural resemblance to the one at the NRM which is sharply cast with correct lettering.
One notes that in Heartbeat the said nameplate is replaced by one called the Aidensfield.
Also, the colour renderings in Yeadon accord with the style on the NRM version.
From my own dealings with the NRM back in the 70's and 80's, I very much doubt that they would knowingly exhibit a replica of anything except possibly the Rocket!
Looking at a selection of 'Hunt' nameplates, pictured in Frank Burridge's Nameplates of the Big Four, it seems certain that the NRM has the original and that the pub version is a rather poor repro'...
Cheers
Robt P.
