Trains and boats and planes named 'Exeter'

Page updated 20th December 2011

These are all the civilian ships, locomotives and aircraft, I have found, named 'Exeter'. If you have a photo of an aircraft (there is a City of Exeter Railway Air Services de Havilland Dragon), locomotive (there is, I believe, an HST power car and a GWR 4-4-0 City of Exeter), ship or other transport vehicle named 'Exeter' and would like to include it on this page, please contact me.

City of Exeter - launched 1914
Ellerman Lines were founded in 1892 by John Reeves Ellerman, Christopher Furness and Henry O'Hagan. Many of the ships were named after cities, including the City of Exeter. She was built by Workman Clark & Co of Belfast and had a gross tonnage of 9,447 tons. Between 1914-15, she was used as a troopship – the photo right, shows her arrival at Freemantle in August 1919, returning Australian troops to their homeland. The City of Exeter survived the Second World War and was scrapped in 1950.

City of Exeter - launched 1953
The second Ellerman Lines 'City of Exeter' was built by Vickers Armstrong and launched on July 7th 1952 and delivered on April 29th 1953 to Ellerman & Bucknall Lines. She had a gross tonnage of 13,343 tons, and could carry 107 passengers and a full cargo on the African routes. In September 1971 she was sold to M A Karageorgis and renamed "Mediterranean Sea". She was broken up in 1998.

City of Exeter
The last Ellerman Line 'City of Exeter' - the company ceased to exist in 2002.

ESSO Exeter
Built by Vickers Armstrong, the 'ESSO Exeter' was launched on 5th January 1955 – she had a gross tonnage of 17,544 tons. She was sold in 1968 and renamed 'Good Hope'.

34001 'Exeter'
This West Country class, Bullied Pacific was built at Brighton, to enter service on 21st June 1944. Numbered 21C101, she was named 'Exeter' on 10 July 1945 at Exeter Central Station, by the Mayor, Alderman V Thompson. She ran 1,079,957 miles during her 22 years of service, going through two boilers and three tenders, before withdrawal and scrapping in July 1967. Photo left courtesy of Nigel Kendall - See his site Steamweb. Photo right shows 34001 on 3rd September 1965 at Wareham Station, heading back to Waterloo. Photo courtesy of Stuart Powell.

New DMU 159001 'City of Exeter'
The 'City of Exeter' was named by Cllr Martin Rich, Mayor of Exeter on 2nd February 1993 to mark the close relationship between South West Trains and the City of Exeter and to seal the modernisation of the Waterloo-Exeter route. It was the first of the Class 159 to be named. Photo right Julia Sharp and left Rob Sandford.

50044 'Exeter' BR livery
Built in November 1968, 54044 worked from Crewe before transferring to Bristol in 1974. She was named 'Exeter', after HMS Exeter, on 26th April 1978 at St David's Station. 50044 worked its last passenger service on 11th December 1990 to be withdrawn at 12.00hrs on 11th January 1990.

50044 'Exeter' restored
The withdrawn Exeter was sent to Stratford depot in East London for cannibalisation and scrap. Enthusiasts, named the Fifty Fund, were looking to buy a locomotive for spares, purchased 50044 and decided to preserve her. She has recently been working on the Severn Valley line. Photos courtesy of Martin Hart. See his site Class 50.

34001 City of Exeter, miniature New
This miniature engine was built by A W G Tucker. It is pictured on the opening of the 1st Woodsmoor Track 1951. Photo courtesy of Stockport and District SME.

New Scammel Show Tractor 'City of Exeter'
Built in September 1948, this Scammel Show tractor named City of Exeter was run by Whitelegg. It generated electricity for the fairground, powering the dodges, merry-go-round and other machinery. Registered as JFJ457 is one of only two to be preserved. It was restored by Robbie Richards of Cornwall. Photo from Graces Guide under the GNU Free Documentation Licence.

J Hancock's 'City of Exeter' traction engine
The restored three speed traction engine, now named 'Dalesman', was built in 1912, by Burrells of Thetford with the works No. 3395, for J Hancock and Sons, for use in their Newtown brickworks, and named 'City of Exeter'. The engine worked until 1925 when it was sold to a Staffordshire company. It went into preservation in the 1950s. The brass nameplate (35.5 cm long) was recently sold at auction. Photo by David Collidge of the site, Steam Scene.

BA 747 G-BNLV 'City of Exeter'
Although no longer named 'City of Exeter', BA 747-436 G-BNLV was once named after the city. When the airline introduced the tail fin with a painted 'arty' design, they were renamed after the artist. After much public derision, including uncomplimentary comments from Margaret Thatcher, a design based on the Union Flag was introduced. The aircraft did not revert to their original names and are now unnamed. Photo courtesy of Tom Lowther.

FlyBe 'The Pride of Exeter'
The Dash8-400Q G-JEDU named 'The Pride of Exeter' is often seen at Exeter, as the airport is the head quarters of FlyBe. Here, she is landing at Glasgow Airport. Photo courtesy of Michael Brazier.

Shorts 360 'City of Exeter'
The Short 360, G-EXPS of BAC Express was a frequent visitor to Exeter, as she should have been, named 'City of Exeter'. The aircraft ranged far and wide across the United Kingdom as a mail carrier. Photo courtesy of Anthony Hutchings.

Matilda tank named 'Exeter'
This British Matilda tank was named 'Exeter', in white paint on the side. It was in action against Rommel's forces during the retreat from El Adem, Libya during May and June 1942. It was part of the 5th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment. The photograph was taken by Charlie Tancock, who was born in Cullompton and later lived in Exeter.

'USS Exeter' Akira-Class Starship
We have all heard of the 'USS Enterprise' as commanded by Captain James Kirk. Her sister ship, the 'USS Exeter', registered as NCC-26531-B was built at the Aldebaran Ship Yard and launched at Stardate 40712.2138. For more on this vessel see Exeter Studio and the video USS Exeter.

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