One of our correspondents has suggested that we should take a little more trouble to identify our locomotives. Some of our steam and diesel engines are quite anonymous and while it is easy for members to refer to that diesel or Del's Peckett it is difficult for the general public or for non regular attending members to know which diesel or which one of our 30 or so engines is a Peckett, let alone whether it is Del's! The writer does not suggest wholesale naming or numbering but he puts forward the idea that those engines which do not have an existing number or name should be allocated a number not already in use. We have, at present, three No. 1's [Note 1], a 2 [Note 2], a 3 [Note 3] and a 4, so what about the Croydon Pecketts becoming Nos. 5 and 6, the diesel No. 8 and the second fireless loco, No.10. In closing his letter the brilliant idea of the Society engines carrying the Society badge is put forward, unless, of course, the engine already carries a distinctive livery, e.g. the Beattie and the Pannier. Certainly the appearance of No. 3 would be enhanced by a nice badge on the cab side. What do you think?

Notes:
1 - Actually at the time these were four number 1's: Metropolitan Railway E Class 0-4-4T No.1, North British 0-6-0T No. 24564 Coventry No. 1 and Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T No. 1334 Sir Thomas and Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST No. 1742 Millom.

2 - Actually there were two number 2's at the time: Andrew Barclay 0-4-0F No. 2243 and Sentinel 0-4-0 No. 6515 Isebrook

3 - Actually there were two number 3's at the time: Hunslet 0-4-0 ST No. 779 Holy War and Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST No. 3717

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1975 and so does not reflect events in the 40+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
What's in a Name? - Quainton News No. 24 - Summer 1975