Naval Connections

Class 50 Naval Connections

It has been a long tradition on the Western Region of British Rail to name some of their locomotives after ships in HM Royal Navy.

These pages explore the origins of the names of our own class members.

Many of the class have had deditation ceremonies over the years and details of these will be added in due course.

HMS DEFIANCE

The name HMS Defiance has been given to twelve ships and two shore establishments by the Royal Navy.

HMS ARK ROYAL

Her original name was to be Ark, but with the custom for the ship to bear then owners name, making her firstly to be Sir Walter Raleigh, as it was due to be his ship. However she was bought by Queen Elizabeth I, so became Ark Royal.

HMS GLORIOUS

There has only been 1 ship of the Royal Navy to named HMS Glorious

HMS HOOD

Three ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Hood

HMS HERCULES

Five Royal Navy ships have carried the name HMS Hercules, with only four actually serving in the British navy.
Hercule is the French name for Hercules

HMS EXETER

There have been five ships in the Royal Navy called HMS Exeter

Get Involved