Diesel/Electric Nicknames

So we've now got a thumper, a hoover and a whistler. How about a growler to make the set?

 

That sounds like the title for an "Adult Educational Film" from the 1980's, ahem!

 

Didn't know a class 40 had turned up as well......... is it in BR green?........

I know we have a class 2o which is a chopper & in the correct livery for the period!

 

Aren't they both known as whistlers? I have never called any loco by its nickname (apart from here) and don't intend to start, but happy to stand corrected!

 

I believe some nicknames were originally only used by enthusiasts in certain local areas. Those names have been spread wider due to the growth of magazines run by journalists, rather than enthusiasts who wanted to become journalists. There were of course also local names used by staff which were not necessarily the same as those coined by enthusiasts.

Class 33 for example were almost universally known by staff as "Cromptons", I believe in some areas gricers have been known to call them "slugs".

(The subtypes "bagpipes" and "slim jims " have been applied by both staff and enthusiasts.)

I believe 20s have sometimes been known as little whistlers, but choppers does seem more common.

 

Reading a thread on UKRail forum sometime ago had a post with a list of nicknames for locos. See post ten on the link below.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/all-the-known-loco-and-multiple-unit-nicknames.103954/

 

I`ve also heard Class 33`s being referred to as "Shredders" here a lot in the South West.

I like to point out to people that use that term that if you came from most places east of Salisbury they were as you say almost universally known as "Cromptons".

Perhaps the term "Shredder" was a derogratory term used by 50 bashers who couldn`t stand one of their beloved "Hoovers" being substituted by a 33 on the Mule, (Waterloo to Exeter Line).

 

Yeegad! This is harder than trying to read Yorkshire!

 

Never hear 20s called whistlers before. Whistling wardrobes was quite common though, due to the amount of doors along the side of them. 33s were also called bean cans or Craptons!

 

In the early sixties all diesels had one common nickname, not to be repeated on this forum.

 

Only one? Mind you, in certain circles all steam locomotives have a common nickname, also not for repeating here.

 

From my childhood spotting days :
Class 17 - 'Claytons'
Class 20 - 'Pilots'
Class 23 'Baby Deltic'
Class 24/25 - 'Sulzers'
Class 26/27s - Cant remember what these were called??
Class 28 - 'CoBos'
Class 31 - 'Brush 2s'
Class 33 - 'Birminghams'
Class 35 - 'Hymek' - obviously!
Class 37 - EE3 or later 'Growler'
Class 40 - 'Box' or later 'Whistler'
Class 42 - 'Warships' - obviously!
Class 44-46 'Peak'
Class 47 - 'Brush 4s'
Class 50 - 'Hoovers'
Class 52 - 'Westerns' - obviously!
Class 55 - Deltic

I understand more modern loco types to have names such as 'Sheds', 'Skodas', 'Skips' and more but others can comment on these.

 

These are most of the loco ones I encountered over the years.

08 - gronk, jocko, 350
09- super gronk
14 - teddy bear
17 - Clayton
20 - chopper
23 - baby deltic
24, 25 - rat
26, 27 - McRat
31 - ped, skinhead
33 - crompton, bagpipe, slim jim
35 - Hymek
37 - tractor, growler, slug
40 - Whistler
41, 42, 43(1) - Warship
43(2) - HST, 125
44, 45, 46 - Peak
47 - Duff, Spoon
50 - log, Hoover
52 - Western
55 - Deltic
56 - Grid
57 - Bodysnatcher, Thunderbird, Heinz
58 - Bone
60 - Doughnut
66 - Shed
66 - Skip
73 - ED
76, 77 - Tommys
81-85 - Roarers
86 - Can
87 - Van
89 - Badger
90 - Skoda
91 - Electra, 225
92 - Dyson

I'm sure there are others I can't recall, along with all the MU names.

Incidentally, surely this discussion is best put in it's own thread in Diesel and Electric?

John

 

Anyone know why class 47’s were called Spoons. Is this something to do with the controls in the cab.
I have also come across the name Fruit Machine would this be a class 24 before they were named Rats.

 

I thought class 60's were Tugs...???

 

Both nicknames are used; usage depends on locations.

Another common one in Northamptonshire was 'Bucket' for Class 40, 'Toffee Apple' for Class 31/0 (given the driving handle), 'Fruit Machine for the early Class 24s (given the driving controls) and 'Flying Banana' for HST sets.

 

What about EMU's, I know some had nicknames, three local ones I know of being:
306 - Shenfields
309 - Clactons
321 - Dusty Bins

 

Don't forget the HST's 'Screaming Valenta'


And nobody can forget the 'Mighty Machines'

 

I don't think anyone ever can forget a 55, were they ever known as anything other than Deltics...???

 

I have read its a reference to the sounding of the horn, i.e. it sounds like the word spooooooooon