08 Diesel on Eurostar !!

[Dave Rowland]

Class 31 are also often referred to as 'Peds' (Pedalloes), and 47's (the erstwhile Brush Type 4's) as 'Duffs'. Class 66/0 are 'Sheds' (as previously mentioned), so the Freightliner 66/5's are known as 'Freds' (Freightliner Sheds), DRS class 66 are called 'Dreds' for similar reasons, and 67's are known colloquially as 'Skips'. Class 57 have managed to acquire the nickname 'Bodysnatchers' owing to them being largely rebuilt from 47's.
As for electrics, 92's rejoice in the nickname of 'Dysons' , maybe because they sound like VERY loud vacuum cleaners!

[Deathbyteacup]

I thought Peds were so named because they are quite pedestrian in their speed?

But yes, a gronk is an affectionate name for an 08 shunter.

[Dave Rowland]

Originally Posted by Deathbyteacup

I thought Peds were so named because they are quite pedestrian in their speed?

That's what I had always assumed, but apparently not. I'd imagine both explanations are bandied around though, to be honest.

[klordger1900]

How do Brush 4's become spoons? I would have thought maybe sweepers would be better!
Never heard of that one before though, thanks for the info.

[62440]

Brush 4 Become "Spoons" from the sound made by the warning horn when just one note is used I understand, bit daft if you ask me, but some people think like that!

Regards, 62440.

[48111]

Well as I said, at our place 08s were Dobbins and 47s were called "four and halfs" by all the drivers.

Not as I recall were any other diesels nicknamed.

48111

[springs branch mickey]

We called 31's Toffee apples. Don't know why.

[Dave Rowland]

I remember reading that drivers referred to 31's as 'toffee apples' because of the shape of a control lever in the cab. 31/0's were called 'skinheads', probably due to of the lack of roof mounted destination/code panels which the other 31's were fitted with.

[springs branch mickey]

Originally Posted by Dave Rowland

I remember reading that drivers referred to 31's as 'toffee apples' because of the shape of a control lever in the cab. 31/0's were called 'skinheads', probably due to of the lack of roof mounted destination/code panels which the other 31's were fitted with.

Thanks for that. It,s the only explanation I've heard that makes sense.

[Dave Rowland]

I've just remembered that 37's, before being nicknamed 'tractors', were often referred to as 'syphons' during the 80's; also the first 20 of the Brush Type 4's (47401 onwards) were known as 'generators'. I believe that the 50's started out as 'warships', but that name never stuck, despite the obvious name connections; no doubt because of the REAL 'warships' (D600-D604 & D800-D870).