I WAS delighted to see that an old tradition was being followed in naming one of the new Oxford/Marylebone train sets The Oxford Flyer.

I read this in your paper as I came in from collecting from the auction house the nameplate and plaque from Class 47 diesel no 47627 which was named City of Oxford in May 1985 by Dr Frank Garside, Lord Mayor of Oxford.

This was a happy coincidence because Dr Garside (otherwise affectionately and irreverently known as “Fag” to us schoolboys from his initials and his semipermanent cigarette) was one of my old maths teachers from Magdalen College School.

The locomotive was named not only in honour of the GWR 150th anniversary celebrations but also to inaugurate the revived name of The Cathedrals Express for the prestige train serving stations between Hereford and London. 47627 headed the first service and was blessed by the Bishops of Worcester and Oxford.

All this was covered by the Oxford Mail and the Oxford Times. So, as one Oxford Flyer started its career, City of Oxford came home to within sound of its old stamping ground.

MARTIN ROBERTS

Stone Close

Botley

Oxford