Class 08/09 Shunter Namings
     

The humble Class 08 / 09 locomotive, more commonly known as "Gronks" have never really featured in either British Rail or EWS plans for naming, with only a handful being undertaken. However, many more unofficial namings have taken place throughout the network, usually of a personal nature relating to staff directly associated with the shunting operation.

Longsight Depot (formerly 9A), was the first depot to attach unofficial cast name plates to the engine inspection doors during the late 70's and the names depicted their locations of shunting operation. Image 08915 illustrates Longsight Depots style of unofficial nameplate.

During the 80's, Tinsley Depot (formerly 41A), went into overdrive unofficially naming each of their "Gronks" after former depots within the Sheffield area. These names were handpainted complete with border and Tinsley Depot logo in a similar position to that of the Longsight Depot "Gronks". Image 08308 illustrates this style of unofficial nameplate.

In the early 90's "Gronks" operating in the Newport area were embellished with female names, hand painted in white beneath the cabside windows within the cab.

The first instance of an unofficial naming of a Canton Depot Gronk took place in early '96 when 08801 was named T L Hannay the name of the 'A' shift supervisor. 

During May 2001, Canton Depot formed a mobile Shunter Gang, with the specific objective of maintaining the Great Western fleet of "Gronks" in prime working order and minimising the need to move locomotives to Canton Depot by road for attention. The Shunter Gang use a dedicated service van to undertake maintenance work work as far east as Old Oak Common and west as far as St Blazey. The gang consists of John Sadler - Team Leader, Martyn Williams, Bob Aspinal, Phil Darroch, Mal Smith, Rus Davies and Susan Deakin whom were all ex level 5 / F exam staff. The Shunter Gang normally provide a two shift, five day a week service with weekend working as required.

 

The bringing together of this small group of excellence created great pride in workmanship and EWS achieved outstanding reliability from this strategy, for its aging fleet of locomotives that are required to work under more arduous conditions than ever before.The close knit of the gang never forgot the the skills and talents of their fellow and former workmates and in recognition they decided to unofficially name each locomotive after their nicknames. When the names first began to appear on the locomotives, each member of staff that I spoke kept tight lipped and would not divulge any information about what was happening in the uncertainty of how management would respond. The namings appear to have the support from most of the depot staff and mangement of EWS and Allied Steel & Wire.

Three members of the gang have been carrying out the namings and these have been undertaken whenever it is safe and feasible to do so, with the name being selected on the day by mutual agreement. EWS liveried locomotives have names painted in gold below the cabside windows and locomotives in both grey and blue liveries have their names applied similarly in white paint. During the course of namings "Ivor" was inadvertently applied to a second locomotive 09017, but this was quickly removed before being returned to traffic following an A exam at Canton Depot. The status of the namings of Canton Depot's fleet of "Gronks" is shown below, including the rationale behind them.

     
08466 Brillo Named after Mike Edgeworth, former Painter (who used Brillo Pads for rubbing down with), but sadly died ten years ago.
     
08480 Ray Named after Ray Giles, retired Gantry Crane Driver.

And a couple of memoirs from Ray......
       
08481 Louis Named after Louis Grech, former Cleaner, but sadly died last year.
       
08651 Fitzy Named after John Fitzgerald, retired Fitter.
       
08653 Vernon Named after Vernon Williams, retired Fitter
       
08752 Lenny Named after Len Tage former Maintenance Controller.

Note: Formerly named "Brian" after Brian Hammacott retired Fitter
       
08770 Benny Named after Steve Watkins, thick, fat and useless <g>, as was Benny from former television programme Crossroads, but a good workmate, retired Fitters Assistanat.
       
08801 T L Hannay Named after the 'A' shift supervisor in early 1996.
       
08854 Bradshaw Named after Alan "Bradshaw" Hill, retired Fitter.
       
08856 Lenny Named after Len Tage former Maintenance Controller.
       
08907 Sid Named after Sid Davies, nicknamed Black Sid ( locomotive carries black livery), retired Fitter.
       
08913 Hywel Named after Hywel Lewis retired Fitter.
       
08921 Pongo Named after Andy Lynch, smelly Fitter <g>, nice bloke, but sadly died a few years ago.
       
08941 Viv Named after Viv Davies retired Fitter
       
08951 Fred / Bugle Nose Named after Fred Billet, retired Fitter. The locomotive also carries the name Bugle Nose, the nickname of his friend Bob Purnell, whom were always seen together.
       
08993 Clive Named after Clive James retired Fitter
       
08994 Scuba's Named after George Mabbat, a scuba diving fanatic, retired Fitter, but sadly died seven years ago.
       
09003 Tattoo Named after Paul Keedwell, looked like Tattoo, former television show, former Fitters Assistant, died in his 30's and sadly missed by his workmates.
       
09008 Smudger Named after John Smith, retired Plant Fitter
       
09011 Gully Named after Ron Gully, retired Fitters Assistant.
       
09013 Val Named after Val Newman, Fitter.
       
09015 Robbo Named after Arthur Robertson
       
09016 The Sniper Named after Vince Dench former Service Shed Electrician, who recently passed away.
       
09017 Leo Named after Leo Phillips, retired Fitter
       
09101 Ivor Named after Ivor Thomas, retired Fitter.
       
09102 Hento Named after Ron Henty, retired Fitter.
       
09105 Cocker Named after Ron Seagarm, who always greeted you by saying, "Hello Cocker", retired Fitter.
       
09203

Wrighty

 Named after George Wright, very nice man who named 56044 Cardiff Canton Quality Approved, former Boilersmith, but sadly died a few years ago.
     

Last Updated 04/12/05