But yet Evening Star in Green was something of an oddball - a freight loco switched from black because it was the last of a dying breed.

Question (to which there is no answer ... or as many answers as we have members) - should bank notes not have something on them that's current and looks forward to the future?   I appreciate that we've has lots of dead famous people - but also things like iconic buildings or architectural significance that show the solidity of the country.  And on that basis

£5 - Class 230 battery train, suitable for local journeys and a potential workhorse for little things
£10 - Class 158 - beloved workhorse of medium distance services
£20 - IET - covers a lot more than a 158, even if you are uncomfortable in it / spending it
£50 - Latest Eurostar train - showing the significance of big fast journeys and international connections

 
As we're in Railway 200 year, Rocket, Ciry of Truro, Mallard and the HST would give us one loco for each 50 years.

If the theme were less general, 4 iconic steamies might be selected from Mallard, Flying Scotsman, City of Truro, King George V, Duchess of Hamilton, Evening Star, Lord Nelson and a Battle of Britain/West Country....

The illustrations would be amazing!

Iconic British diesels? Harder to define....an HST for sure, a Deltic, a Western and an 08 maybe?
If note colour is a factor...

£5 Blue - Mallard in LNER blue
£10 Brown - Brighton Belle 5BEL in umber/cream
£20 Purple - HST FGW livery
£50 Green - Evening Star in BR Green

 

The Kent dc locos (later class 71) were a year earlier
The first class 81 was November 1959

 
A pacer on the fiver?  Might get some change. 

 
as long as its not one of idea/s mentioned on another non rail forum to have flowers on the notes.

What ever next? smelly notes of roses?

 

I guess it depends how you define "first".  I thought the Class 81 was the first fleet of electric locos that BR received.  However, I know which one of the two makes for a more impressive illustration.

 

Just to be pedantic shouldn't it be this?

 

Peak of design or the first of their kind?  Which in the UK would be the Class 81?

 
My contribution is to agree that an HST power car must be included.

As the £10 note, this giving it the widest coverage.

 
Please Grahame, this is the GWR Coffee Shop!

It has to be a (proper) Castle class,  not a Schools class!

 

* An early locomotion - or Puffing Billy or rocket

* The peak of steam locomotive design - how about a 4-4-0 Schools class

* An HST Power car - has to be!

* Peak of electric locomotive design - what is the peak there?

 
I'd suggest Puffing Billy, the oldest surviving steam locomotive as a possibile contender.  It has a certain Heath Robinson/steampunk visual appeal to it.

 

How about Locomotion, Rocket (two firsts), Mallard and an HST power car (two record breakers)?

 
Apparently, the Bank of England is asking for ideas for a theme for new banknotes and one suggestion is locomotives. Which four would you choose for the £5, £10 £20 and £50 notes and why?