Trivia: Nicknames we use

[infobleep]

Contractors I worked with in Harrow called the West London Line Southern service, the magic bus because they couldn't believe such a useful service from East Croydon to Milton Keynes existed.

I use to nickname the 6.53 Guildford to Waterloo, the last train to Clapham and the 16.52, the last train to Guildford. They weren't the last trains as such, just the last fast ones to stop at Clapham Junction before the morning or evening high peak started and useful when travelling to or from Harrow. If I wasn't on either of those, it usually meant a trip through Central London.

Thus I'd often catch the last train to Clapham, followed by the magic bus.

I know people have nickname the Department for Transport, DafT. I've also come across First Late Western and now people probably use Late Western Railways instead.

 

[philthetube]

Stick, certainly used on underground for signal, as in stick's off. Surprising really as there are no sticks on the tube, difficult to squeeze past in tunnels.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Spam cans for un-rebuilt Merchant Navies and West Country classes

 

[shredder1]

And don't forget Jinty's!

Oh dear, can`t believe I missed that one

 

[Cowley]

Oh dear, can`t believe I missed that one

There were also Pugs, Super Ds, RODS, Black motors and Bongos

 

[D365]

Robbie - coal train

Just like coal trains on the mainline, it seems a certain member bearing that nickname has been going missing

 

[GW43125]

Stick, certainly used on underground for signal, as in stick's off. Surprising really as there are no sticks on the tube, difficult to squeeze past in tunnels.

"Peg" is also sometimes used.

"Bobby's got us at a red stick/peg, he'll pull off soon hopefully"

"Wrong-un": Wrong road.

"Fish & chips": EP brake (air out, contactors up&down)

 

[Phil.]

.....

 

[GW43125]

.....

.....
.....
.....

(5-5-5), which also leads me to "the ones"-call attention

 

[adrock1976]

A nickname that comes to mind is the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway often referred to as "The Little (or Lil') Ratty".

 

[D6975]

Down my way, back in the mists of long ago there was a railway called
The Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway.
or WC & P
If ever a railway didn't need a nickname.....

 

[Mag_seven]

Not a nickname as such but a saying - when train crew are not working and they return to base in the passenger accommodation on a train, they are said to be traveling "on the cushions".

 

[Dr_Paul]

After a serious accident, the London, Chatham and Dover Railway became known as the 'London, Smash 'Em and Turnover Railway'. I believe that the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway was known as 'Money Sunk and Lost' on account of its lack of profits.

I have a book somewhere listing steam locomotive nicknames -- I was amazed at how many nicknames there were -- but it doesn't cover diesel locos or DMUs or EMUs.

The origins of some of the nicknames are easily understandable, for example, the noise that a certain diesel loco makes, or a characteristic of a certain class of DMU, but can anyone explain why Class 14 diesels were called Teddy Bears?

 

[Joe Paxton]

"The arrows of indecision" - a nickname for the BR logo!

 

[TimboM]

Are we allowing "Class 87/2" as a 'nickname' for Class 90s?

 

[AndrewE]

I have heard nuclear flask trains called "the bombs!" (by the men working then, I should add.)
A

 

[Ash Bridge]

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Tommy, the nickname for the class 76s.

 

[GW43125]

I have heard nuclear flask trains called "the bombs!" (by the men working then, I should add.)
A

"The Nukes" we call them

 

[krus_aragon]

The origins of some of the nicknames are easily understandable, for example, the noise that a certain diesel loco makes, or a characteristic of a certain class of DMU, but can anyone explain why Class 14 diesels were called Teddy Bears?

I seem to recall that someone at Swindon works, referring to their steam loco-building days, said “we've built a Great Bear, now we're going to build a Teddy Bear”.

 

[Cowley]

I seem to recall that someone at Swindon works, referring to their steam loco-building days, said “we've built a Great Bear, now we're going to build a Teddy Bear”.

I'd read that somewhere too. Also read that the shape of the cab and big windows looked a bit teddy bear like, although I prefer the version Krus told.
The name suits them though

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Are we allowing "Class 87/2" as a 'nickname' for Class 90s?

90's are essentialy an updated 87 and were originally designated 87/2 on TOPS but I im not sure if they were ever referred to as that.

 

[341o2]

Stick, certainly used on underground for signal, as in stick's off. Surprising really as there are no sticks on the tube, difficult to squeeze past in tunnels.

Semaphore signals - Boards. When they indicated that a train could proceed they were "off" or at danger "on"
Shunting signal - dolly
Route indicator on colour light signal - feathers.

Any steam locomotive not running well could be called a (deleted) old camel

 

[341o2]

The Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks had the nickname of Mickey Mouse due to carrying route indicator discs on the smokebox which looked like ears

The first Bulleid pacific was also referred to as Flannel Jacket

Big Boy for the ALCO class 4000 4-8-8-4

 

[GW43125]

Route indicator on colour light signal - feathers.

I've heard of them being called "Arbor lights" on the tube-makes zero sense to me!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

90's are essentialy an updated 87 and were originally designated 87/2 on TOPS but I im not sure if they were ever referred to as that.

The frames were certainly chalked up with numbers in the 87/2 series during construction at Crewe Works; the change of designation came shortly before the 90 001 was completed.

 

[backontrack]

Teddy bears?

 

[Tracked]

After using them from Sheffield quite often;
TPE: "Transpenine Express would Like to Apologise"

 

[centraltrains]

Meanwhile, the Sprinters (bar Class 158/9) are the most dullest things I've ever had to endure. If I wanted the body of a 150, I'd go down south and get on a 455 or even a 319. At least they make interesting motor noises.noise!).

Stop bullying sprinters!!! Some of us really like sprinters. In fact, class 150s are my favourite type of train! The engine sounds are so distinct on a class 150, Thier flat facing front is very unique and beautiful (imo - though the 150/0 and /1 are superior to the /2). You don't get the lovely diesel sounds on electric trains!!!

 

[Ash Bridge]

Stop bullying sprinters!!! Some of us really like sprinters. In fact, class 150s are my favourite type of train! The engine sounds are so distinct on a class 150, Thier flat facing front is very unique and beautiful (imo - though the 150/0 and /1 are superior to the /2). You don't get the lovely diesel sounds on electric trains!!!

Class 156, excellent units, what's not to like?

 

[GW43125]

Class 156, excellent units, what's not to like?

Nothing is not to like, they're beasts. Extra brownie points if you can [a] get every hopper window in the unit open and/or start away in a tunnel up to full pelt.