FOUR SUBSTANTIAL locomotives have so far proudly carried the name of Worcester's most famous son, composer Sir Edward Elgar on the railways of Britain.
Train enthusiast and railways historian Steve Widdowson of Wadborough, near Worcester, has kindly sent me details of those four illustrious locos.
* The first to be given the name Sir Edward Elgar was the Great Western Bulldog class No.3414 in 1932. Originally built in 1906 and named A.H Mills, it was re-christened as the Sir Edward Elgar in August 1932. It was withdrawn from service in 1938.
* The second Sir Edward Elgar was the Great Western Castle class No.7005 loco which was christened in 1957 to mark the centenary of the composer's birth. Its home depot was always Worcester, and another local railway enthusiast David Badham says it pulled Cathedrals express services between Paddington, Worcester and Hereford. However, it was withdrawn and "de-named" in November 1964.
* The third Sir Edward Elgar was Diesel Electric class 50 No.50007, built in 1968 and originally christened Hercules. It was re-named at a ceremony at Paddington Station in 1984, to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer's death. This loco operated to Worcester many times as the Paddington-Hereford Express but was withdrawn in March 1994, having just worked the last ever class 50 hauled train on BR - a special from London Waterloo to Penzance. The train had been full with a waiting list. It is now in private ownership at the Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire
* The fourth engine named Elgar is Electric loco new class 92 no.92009, built for the Channel Tunnel in 1994, but now operating between Carlisle and Kent. Its home depot is Crewe, Cheshire, and it is owned by the English Welsh and Scottish Railway Company. Alas, it has never visited Worcester, due to it being an electric loco.
During his life of 76 years, Sir Edward Elgar would have travelled very extensively by train, particularly between Worcester, Malvern, Hereford and London, and no doubt he greatly appreciated this comfortable form of travel.
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