Lot 360 Brass Cabside Numberplate "4085" as carried by a Collett designed ex GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 tender locomotive named "BERKELEY CASTLE" built at Swindon in May 1925 and was the 13th Castle to be built. Allocations included Plymouth Laira, Reading, Gloucester Horton Rd and Old Oak Common from where it was withdrawn in May 1962 having travelled in excess of 1.6 Million miles. Scrapped at Cashmores Newport 11/62. Plate purchased direct from Swindon, never been offered for sale before. Was Berkeley Castle an unlucky locomotive being the thirteenth CASTLE? - Well it was for George Jackson Churchward. On the 19th December 1933, Churchward (now nearly 77 and with failing eyesight and hearing) was wandering on the main line at Swindon inspecting a faulty sleeper when he was hit and killed by BERKELEY CASTLE, which was in charge of a Paddington to Fishguard express. Front polished.

 

  Lot sold for £5500