On Wednesday, October 20, 1982, the Queen Mother named diesel-electric locomotive No. 47 541 The Queen Mother at Aberdeen Station. In this article from the January 1983 issue of The Railway Magazine, Patrick Kingston recounts the ceremony, the preparations and an unexpected visit to the locomotive’s cab.
A historic occasion at Aberdeen
A COLOURFUL event in railway history took place at a ceremony at Aberdeen Station during the late afternoon of Wednesday, October 20, 1982, when a class “47/4” diesel-electric locomotive became the first British railway engine to be named by a member of the Royal Family. The ceremony was performed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, following postponement, because of a national railway strike, when the naming was to have taken place at Glasgow Central on June 30.
Preparing the station
The setting for the ceremony was the north end of Platform 6 at what was called Aberdeen Joint Station which, in pre-grouping days before 1923, was shared by the Caledonian and Great North of Scotland companies. To help brighten up what is normally a drab part of the station, the immediate area of the ceremony had been cleaned with the decorative columns and canopy being freshly painted. An area of the platform was covered with red carpet and to complete the picture a floral arrangement was provided by Aberdeen City Council. Aberdeen is now an “open” station without ticket barriers so passengers and public alike were able to witness the occasion from behind some specially arranged crowd barriers.
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The arrival of No. 47 541
Meanwhile the locomotive that was to be the focus of attention arrived from nearby Ferryhill shed—it was No. 47 541, the number being duly scribbled down in the notebooks of many press reporters! For a locomotive built in 1963, the 19 years of many miles of travel were forgotten, 47 541 looking as though it had only just been completed—such was the immaculate appearance of an engine that has already borne two numbers, first D1755 and then 47 161. An air of festivity was created by the arrival of the orchestra of the Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society who played selections of Scottish music to entertain the guests and those who had gathered to watch. On the adjacent Platform 7 there was some concern when the 15.50 to Inverness was delayed about ten minutes to maintain a connection for passengers arriving on a late-running train from the south. Sadly, for passengers on the Inverness-bound train, the connecting train arrived as the final preparations were made and with a wave of the guard’s green flag their train disappeared from view beneath the modern concrete development that now spans the station’s northern approaches.
The Queen Mother arrives
Moments later the Royal limousine arrived through an archway onto an area of the station that was once a bay platform, now filled-in as a result of the rationalisation of the ex-Great North of Scotland lines northwards from Aberdeen. Smiling and wearing a coat in a delicate shade of her favourite colour—blue—the Queen Mother stepped from her car to meet local dignitaries and railway officials including Harold Taylor, the Works Manager at Swindon where the nameplate that was to be unveiled had been made. On a dais, in front of the locomotive, a speech of welcome was given by Ken Peters, a member of British Rail Scotland’s Regional Board.
Naming The Queen Mother
In reply the Queen Mother said it was a great honour to know that a locomotive would bear her name and she was also happy that the ceremony was taking place at Aberdeen—a station so frequently used by members of her family. Concluding her speech she said: “May God bless all those who work in her and travel behind this great locomotive. I now have great pleasure in naming 47 541 The Queen Mother.” To much applause the Royal grandmother stood proudly beside “her” locomotive. Then followed a presentation of an “O”-gauge working model of the locomotive she had just named which she said that she was sure the younger members of the Royal Family “will love”.
An unexpected cab visit
The Queen Mother then met Ferryhill driver James Stephen and his wife. This was followed by an impromptu visit to the cab, into which the Queen Mother climbed from the platform by using a wooden box as a makeshift step. Sitting in his seat, Driver Stephen explained the controls, then the Queen Mother asked to see the engine room. Driver Stephen opened the engine-room door, but tactfully explained that it would be impractical for her to enter.
The ceremony concludes
After leaving the cab the Queen Mother stood to admire, once more, 47 541, “her” locomotive, and then thanked all who had contributed to such a happy occasion before being driven back to resume her holiday at Birkhall on Deeside. In conclusion my sincere thanks to R. Gemmell, BR Director of Public Affairs (Scotland) and R. R. Marshall and his staff of the Scottish Information Office for the special facilities granted to me.
