This early picture of 5505 c1947 was published in a RAOC newletter.
Ordnance Insignia of the British Army
Named Mainline Locomotives
The name “The Royal Army Ordnance Corps” has been carried by
British main line locomotives 4 times on 3 different engines. (Despite being
recorded under 8 different serial numbers!) This is a unusual honour for a
British Army regimental name.
On each occasion a different style of nameplate has been carried, with & without
the Corps badge.
1947 to 1962
5505 ~ 45505
Built by the L.M.S. Crewe works in 1932 as 5505. Named ‘The
Royal Army Ordnance Corps’ in 1947.
This early picture of
5505 c1947 was published in a RAOC newletter.
5505 was re-numbered to 45505 by BR in 1948,
and withdrawn
from service on the 2nd June 1962.
Nameplates were curved silver on black on two lines with Corps badge above.
1965 to 1987
D61 ~ 45112
45112 pictured in 1985
at Crewe
Built by British Rail Engine Works, Crewe - 1962 as D61 later
re-numbered 45112
and named, The Royal Army Ordnance Corps in September 1965
Plates were removed in October 1986 when locomotive was transferred to goods use due to BR Policy at the time of only naming passenger engines.
45112 was withdrawn from British Rail use on the 7th May 1987 and was sold for scrap but saved for preservation by a private collector.
Nameplates were silver on red on one line with no Corps badge.
1993 to 1999
47972
(has also been numbered 47062, 47545 & 97545 during its working
life)
Built by Brush Electrical Machines Ltd/British Rail Crewe -
1965 as D1646 later re-numbered 47972
and named, The Royal Army Ordnance Corps in February 1993
was withdrawn from service in 1999 and sold to Fragonset Railways, Derby.
This locomotive is currently unnamed and in storage at Derby for future rebuild or spares use.
Nameplates were white on black on two line with no Corps badge.
47972 itself was the only Type 47 Locomotive to carry the Red & Cream ‘Technical Services’ Livery.
2000 onwards
45112
(Which last wore RAOC Plates in 1987)
45112 at Derby Works in 2001
45112 is currently privately owned by Fragonset Railways at Derby, and is Mainline Certified.
Fragonset Railways renamed the locomotive back to ‘The Royal Army Ordnance Corps’ in late 2000
Nameplates are white on red on two line with Corps badge above
Currant RAOC Loco Plate
M Comerford - October 2004