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Diesel/Electric Nicknames

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by domeyhead, Jul 29, 2019.

  1. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    That sounds like the title for an "Adult Educational Film" from the 1980's, ahem! :);)
     
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  3. Duty Druid

    Duty Druid Resident of Nat Pres

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    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!
     
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  4. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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    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! :)
     
  5. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

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    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.
     
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  6. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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  7. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    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).
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2019
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  8. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    Yeegad! This is harder than trying to read Yorkshire! ;):D
     
  9. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    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!
     
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  10. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    In the early sixties all diesels had one common nickname, not to be repeated on this forum. :rolleyes:
     
  11. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Only one? Mind you, in certain circles all steam locomotives have a common nickname, also not for repeating here.
     
  12. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  13. Selsig

    Selsig Member

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    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
     
  14. nick glanf

    nick glanf New Member

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    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.
     
  15. 61648

    61648 Member

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    I thought class 60's were Tugs...???
     
  16. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    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.
     
  17. 61648

    61648 Member

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

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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


    And nobody can forget the 'Mighty Machines'

     
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  19. 61648

    61648 Member

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

    forty Member

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