GWR Garter Crest

Painting by Pete Speller [e-mail]
This superb painting by Pete Speller
shows the magnificent GWR "Garter Crest". The crest was introduced
on the GWR around 1878, and lasted in varying forms until 1927, when
it was replaced with the simpler coat of arms.
The crest was used at first on the sides of driving wheel
splashers of narrow gauge tender engines. From 1904 it was moved to
the tender sides, between the words "Great Western", where it lasted
until 1928. The crest was rarely seen on tank engines.
First class coaches carried the crest from around 1880,
accompanied from 1904 by the crests of London and Bristol on either
side. From around 1908, this pattern was expanded to all classes, lasting
until 1927.
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