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TOPS: Class 98 Locomotives.

In 1984 the British Railways, Director of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, (DM&EE), Systems Group were based in the Minerals Building in Nelson Street in Derby.

At that time when steam locomotives ran on BR they were given Sealink Ferry Tops numbers to allow them to be recorded and tracked on the TOPS system.

A recently appointed Assistant System Assistant suggested to his manager a means by which each preserved Steam Locomotive could be identified on an individual basis. It involved all steam locomotives becoming Class 98 Locomotives. The third number would be the BR power classification, e.g. 988. The last two numbers would be the last two of the locomotives historic number. Flying Scotsman for example became 98872.

A letter was sent to the Director of Operations at Marylebone HQ suggesting the idea. Two days later the lowly Systems Assistant was called into his manager's office and ended up talking on the phone to the Director of Operations. After ten minutes of questions, the Director asked the all important question: "How much will it cost?"

"Nothing," replied the Assistant Systems Assistant. "I've already done the work during my lunch breaks."

"Put your manager on," said the Director.

Two minutes later, the manager said. "Well done." With a smile he then said: "He wants you to make it happen and oversee it."

The first Class 98 to go on TOPS was City of Truro.￼

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