ORGANISERS of the Pershore Plum Festival have appealed to local residents to help them track down a missing rare train nameplate.
A rallying call has been issued for help in the quest to find the original steam train nameplate of the iconic Pershore Plum.
The Great Western Railway steam engine belonged to the Bulldog class and was a much sought-after locomotive for train spotters’ notebooks.
The train was built in 1899 in Swindon and was originally named Plymouth, but on relocation to the Worcester shed in 1927 it was renamed the Pershore Plum, in deference to the city’s National Farmers’ Union. As well as carrying local fruit and vegetables, the steam engine would also ferry both horses and race-goers to festival days in Pershore.
Angela Tidmarsh, Plum Festival organiser and Wychavon District Council tourist officer, said: “After the locomotive was withdrawn from service, the nameplate was bought by an enthusiast and for many years adorned the outside of his house near the Three Counties Showground.
“We heard it had made its way to Ledbury but that’s about as much as we know. Every year the Plum Festival features memorabilia from over the centuries that reflect Pershore’s plum heritage, so we’d love to include the nameplate.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to email Mrs Tidmarsh at [email protected] or visit www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk for more information.
