Or rather two.

I was delighted to read Christopher John Linskill’s letter ‘A train called Malta’ (August 23).

The Atbara class of the Great Western Railway were fine locomotives.

The name was also proudly worn by two other steam locomotives: the LNWR (London & North Western Railway) locomotive No. 2177 of the 4-4-0 George the Fifth class, built in July, 1911, and the LMS (London, Midland & Scottish) locomotive No. 5616 of the 4-6-0 Jubilee Class, built in August 1934, named in August 1936 and then renamed ‘Malta GC’ in October 1943.

These were also very efficient engines.

One of the quirks of Britain’s railways from the 19th century was the naming of many passenger locomotives (freight engines were often more grubby and anonymous). Nameplates of the London & North Western were a wonderful polished brass, against the gleaming black of the locomotive.

LNWR express at speed c.1919, hauled by an unidentified ‘George the Fifth’ locomotive.