GWR 800034 names puzzle?

[chrisjo]

So I'm standing on the platform at Newport (South Wales), and 800034 comes in on 2U06 Exeter to Cardiff with 'Jo Prosser' on the front and 'Tracy Devlin' on the back. When 800034 comes back again 70 minutes later on 2C71 Cardiff to Taunton, 'Jo Prosser' is still on the front and 'Tracy Devlin' is still on the back, but I'm looking at the other side of the train.

This means that the PDTS and the PDTRBF must each have one name on one side and the other name on the other. Is this the normal arrangement for named GWR 800's, or are they just random?

 

[MasterPhillips]

Was it the BBC Local Radio names? If so there are many names on each unit.

 

[chrisjo]

Was it the BBC Local Radio names? If so there are many names on each unit.

No, it was the main names, not the three-per-panel lists of other local heroes..

My photos clearly show that the PDTRBF (855034) is named 'Tracy Devlin' on one side and 'Jo Prosser' on the other.

 

[Merthyr Imp]

It seems to be the case that the unit (i.e. 800034) is named after two people rather than each of the two vehicles being named after two people.

It appears Great Western have several examples of this:

Our named Intercity Express Trains | Great Western Railway

GWR has been shaped by many inspirational individuals. Our Intercity Express Trains celebrate these people and their legacies. Click here to find out more.

www.gwr.com

 

[Purple Train]

It seems to be the case that the unit (i.e. 800034) is named after two people rather than each of the two vehicles being named after two people.

It appears Great Western have several examples of this:

Our named Intercity Express Trains | Great Western Railway

GWR has been shaped by many inspirational individuals. Our Intercity Express Trains celebrate these people and their legacies. Click here to find out more.

www.gwr.com

Many of the 800s are named after two people, yes, but I think that most of them have one name at one end and one at the other. I can't recall ever seeing a unit with both driving carriages carrying one name on one side and one on the other, but it's not something I've paid attention to before, really. It is, after all, difficult to check both sides of a train from a platform at 125mph, but the OP has piqued my curiosity enough that I'm definitely going to check next time I have the opportunity!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Oct 2024 ==

[new post October 5]

I don't think it is the usual arrangement - 800003 (Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth) has one name at each end, and 800030 is named Lincoln Callaghan at one end. Obviously this isn't conclusive - but, given one name at each end was the general assumption, it has at least put my mind somewhat at rest!