7827 Lydham Manor to go Black on the P & D.

It did go to Didcot for their GWR175 celebration last May, so there is a precedent now.

 

Yes, that was what prompted the idea in my mind is the fact that 7827 did indeed take a trip to Didcot last year. The loco I'm sure will easily find offers of work at other railways, and given the cache attached to it being a 'different' Manor not really ever having worked away from the P&D, and being in BR black, - I'm convinced will be an attractive proposition. Then there's the inevitable demand for photo charters. 7821 didn't really operate in BR black that long IIRC, and 7819 was the previous one which came out of ticket c.1995.

 

The one thing that we don't have at the moment, and there seems to be no sign of one on the horizon, is an operational Manor in "proper" GWR livery. With 7802 now withdrawn, we're down to two, 7812 and 7827, one in BR green and the other to become BR black. 7812's current visit to the WSR is its first away from the SVR (except for some mainline runs during its previous ticket). We're expecting 7822 and 7828 back this year, and, being both BR built machines, I would expect both to be in BR livery as well.

At least there will be a bit of variety with BR black and BR green both about. It's not as bad as the current position with Black 5's, where the only variety we have is early or late BR crest. When was there last an operational Black 5 in LMS livery? 5000 is the last I can remember, and that must be 20 years ago.

 

The Strathspey's '5', 5025, was in LMS livery (and still is - boiler supposed to be lifted next week btw) when it was withdrawn in 1993.

Maybe my memory is playing tricks but wasn't 45305 in LMS livery into the 1990s?

 

45428 ran as 5428 in 1994 / 1995.

http://nymrphotos.fotopic.net/p8693791.html

Anyway, back to 7827, will be good to see it in black.

 

5407 was LMS black when doing the NWCE runs in the late 1980's early 1990s. It was LMS black at Padiham also.

5305 was LMS black for as long as I can possibly remember.. until it turned BR in the late 90's/early 2000s.

44932 was the odd one out.. being BR Green at one point.. but also lined black with BRITISH RAILWAYS on the tender for a period.

 

Although not operational, we have 7808 at Didcot in GWR livery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/4585010774/

In happier days.

http://www.railwayherald.org/imaging.centre/showimage.php?image=133642

 

It was purchased by the DVR in 1970 and restored 1973.

 

In proportion to the original numbers in their class, are Manors not the most preserved locos on BR? Not that many were built in the first place. Ideal locos for preserved railways of any length.

 

I think it is equalled by the MN's, both 10 out of 30. You could of course count 71000, 1 out of 1!

 

9 Manors are still with us out of the original 30. I just wish there was another 21 of them!

Regards,

Paul

 

Isn't it 11 MNs, if you count Ellerman Lines? Perhaps 10.5

 

Thanks for the info on the last LMS liveried Black 5, folks. I did suspect that there might be a couple later than 5000, but couldn't be sure. 5000 is for sure the last one I saw running. The 70's oddball no-one has mentioned is 5212 in wallpaper...

Back to the Manors, I've never seen an operational Manor in "proper" GWR livery. When I first saw 7819 it was already in BR black, and I've not seen 7808 in steam (and I doubt it will steam again in my lifetime). The only chance I have is with 7819, or if the owners of a BR-built one decide to be brave and claim that it is authentic for the class if not for that particular loco. Basically as Tornado does - BR livery isn't historically authentic for Tornado as it was never owned by BR, and it is the 50th A1, not a replica!!

At the risk of upsetting at least half of the members here, I think that the photographers are at least partly to blame for the current situation. If your loco is in BR livery, especially BR black, you have people falling over each other to arrange photo charters. Turn out a loco in any big four livery and there is a lot less interest, if any at all. Inevitably, with steam loco ownership being as expensive as it is, the owners will maximise their income by picking the livery that will earn the most. You guys have a lot more influence than perhaps you realise, so please wield it carefully!!

 

Great news, hopefully she'll be operating in September when down for my annual visit, can i ask though, will the name and numberplates be black or red backed ?, 9600 has black backed and i think 7821 had black too so red would be nice if possible.

Can't say im really a fan of Manors in GWR livery, half the class never emerged from Swindon until BR days, and frannkly the GWR Manor was a bit mediocre until draughting improvements sorted them out later on.