Isle Of Man Steam Railway

This is supposed to be the 'as built' livery even down to the different lining and is quite dark in reality - sometimes it is hard to judge from a photo.
Ray.

 

On a similar theme, is it just me or has the Royal Saloon been painted in slightly darker shades of red and cream than the service fleet? It looks stunning either way, I'm just curious!

Also, has No. 9 had a new smokebox door made? I seem to recall she carried a plywood mock-up for many years!

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It has. These are the colours that it had in the 70's when last used for royal duties etc. and this was how it was displayed in the museum from 1975. As for No.9's smokebox door, the plan was to borrow the one from No.8 putting a new one on Fenella at overhaul. Plywood! Way too extravagant - it was a bit of old fibreboard which the late Mike Buttell put on when she was stored (with 8) in P.E. engine shed. He also repainted her with some "yucky" grey/green paint left over from painting Port Erin station building.
Ray.

 

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, Ray. The attention to detail that's gone into these restorations is just wonderful.