46233 Duchess of Sutherland.

Aren't there two variants of the apple green?

http://www.goldenagemodels.net/A4-locomotives.html

I personally prefer the version without the black at the front.

 

Interesting link. I confirms my thoughts on the valances. As TBFrank siad elsewhere on the Bittern thread, he prefers the A4's without the valances, and I think I do to. The reason being, I think, is that the unfrocked version has the look of a leaping cat, a bit like the Jaguar emblem, giving an even greater impression of muscle and speed. But I seemed to remember that as originally built they also gave this impression and those pictures show whey - the valances are painted in a contrasting shade, or even black with the green, which looks great. it's just the all over garter blue that detracts from the curve of the running plate. Hey hang on - I don't do paint froth :redface:

 

Come on sheff you cant be reasonable/ sensible all the time, it is a matter of taste The A4 as built is reminiscent of the VW Beetle, but once the valences are off its like one of those dune buggy jobs.... not good. The Duchesses at least are either all or nothing.

 

Whaaaaa!!

A4s, VW Beetles, Dune Buggies?? What are you smoking??? Its like calling 6229 a bathtub!

Sheff is right - The detail is the preservation of that sweeping and leaping curve in the contrasting paint job - pure thirties - as seen in many bus and coach liveries of the time, and fully represented by the appearance with the valances off. The Jaguar emblem does that too - must fit one to my X Type.

And its far more than paint - its brand - and everyone in business understands the value and importance of that.

The all over one shade paint job loses the curve and dimishes the impact - simples! (to maintain the motoring connection)

 

Sorry Chaps , god knows whats in this Beechams all in one... guess we will have to agree to differ, valences on yes, painted a contrasting colour... hell yes, valences off / somethings missing and it shows...

 

Yes, I'm advocating contrasting valances, not removal. So garter blue and black, or dark blue say? Oh no, here we go, red 8F time. Anyway, what has any of this to do with 6233?? Iain

 

It just shows how much better A4s are than Duchesses

 

Seconded.

 

I would love to see them both flat out with the same load on same track. Also with a merchant navy as well. The question is who would win.

 

Try load 9 on the S&C (southbound) for starters. I know where I'd put my bet, having read about 35012 showing most things a clean pair of heels on this route in 1964. Bradley notes that 35012 passed Armathwaite at 70MPH in 15 mins 17 secs before slowing for a 'yellow' at Culgaith and a permanent way slack at Long Marton. Appleby was passed at 42 mins 2 secs at 54MPH. The icing on the cake was the 17.45 miles at 1 in 100 to Ais Gill, which was covered in 17 minutes 41 secs with an average of 59MPH. The distance from Carlisle to Settle Junction was covered in 83 minutes 4 secs. A truly fantastic run by all accounts, and its a shame I wasn't around then!

 

Thats why i added the MN haha. when was the last time a MN worked settle carlisle?

 

I think 35028 has worked it a few times when it was more frequently used on enthusiast's specials in the '80s-early '90s, and 35005 has done at least one north-bound run when it was painted blue, although I'm not sure it did the return. It was a Past-Time 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' from Euston-Carlisle in May 1999.

 

Err - we seem to be forgetting Tornado and DoG chaps if we want a proper contest (ideally I'd have Blue Peter to fly the LNER flag, but that would be a walk-over )

 

That is why the best A4 livery bar none was that applied to the first four Silver A4s. Still think 4492 looks the biz though.

 

Well said.

 

DoG over the top just shy of 50 with 13 on, none of this crawling about .....

 

We talking a ten mile or a 100 Or 200 mile mile race though... The merchant navy (original condition) would storm into 2nd place, the Duchess and A4 would gradually haul the MN in, the A4 would ease past the pair on a favourable gradient.... and probably catch the duke just before its big end melted...