A naming ceremony for Class 47 No. 47 813 took place at Bolton Trinity Street Station on Friday, June 9, 1989. The locomotive, named Bolton Wanderer, was associated with the town of Bolton and its football team. Here’s the article from The Railway Magazine, August 1989
Naming ceremony at Bolton Trinity Street Station
There was a carnival atmosphere at Bolton Trinity Street Station on Friday, June 9, when, accompanied by the jingling of the Horwich Morris Men, class 47 No. 47 813 was named Bolton Wanderer.
Role and naming significance of the locomotive
With its large-capacity fuel tanks, 47 813 is among the stud of locomotives allowed to haul the Royal Train. The name, chosen from a list of suggestions supplied to British Railways from Bolton Council, will remind people of the town’s famous football team, Bolton Wanderers.
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Ceremony attendees
The naming ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr. Ken MacIvor, and he was joined by the Duke of Norfolk, local MPs, members of Bolton Wanderers Football Club—including the legendary Nat Lofthouse—and Mr Cyril Bleasdale OBE, General Manager, London Midland Region.
Original naming plans and delay
It had been planned originally to name the locomotive last year to coincide with Bolton’s 150th local government anniversary celebrations, but the Windsor Link was not fully operational at that time and it was decided to wait until Bolton was on the Intercity map.
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