CORRECT LETTERING/NUMBER COLOUR FOR CRIMSON LIVERY?

Anyone know what the correct numbering colour is for 1956 crimson coach livery? Im guessing either gold, cream or straw with a black edge.

 

In 1949 the Railway Executive appears to have used straw with a black edge for the 1st class markings; but the coach number was apparently unlined cream. My source (British Rail 1948-78 - a Journey by Design) isn't clear on this, alas, for 1956.

 

The Gospel According to Haresnape (Railway Liveries BR Steam 1948-1968 ISBN: 0-7110-1856-1), is that the lettering & numbering scheme remained unaltered from the 1949 spec., although I thought that by 1956 the numbering was at both ends and had a region suffix.

I have a copy of the 'Standard Liveries' brochure dated July 1949 & published by the Railway Pictorial & Locomotive Review which I really ought to get around to scanning... it has this to say:

'One Shot' Imitation Gold signwriters' paint is probably the colour I'd go for, with a 1/16" outline.

This might prove useful as well:

View attachment Baugh.pdf

It's a summary (with drawings) of the 1949 scheme as applied to GW stock.

Pete.

 

Thanks for the replies. The Diagrams are particulary interesting.

I was hedging my bets that the lettering colour should be gold, but its a bit difficult going off a black and white photo! After all the hard work that has gone into the prototype GUV W86500 I dont want to make a botch of it now!

The solebar lettering appers to be white in the photo Ive got of it.

Just for info, during my research sofar Ive found that the correct spec for roof grey is BS4800 10A07 and the Crimson BS 381C 540.

If anyone has any further info with regard to GUV lettering sizes, your input would be most welcome. I know the vehicle number is 4" high and the 'G.U.V.' / 'TARE 30T.' I think are 3", but Im struggling to guess the size of the lettering for the info on the vehicle bodyside under the number/chalk board (Length, height of vehicle etc). At the moment Im thinking 1 1/2" or 1 5/8"? ? ? !

 

Could well be, despite what the specs say. There's some surviving original BR(W) chassis lettering on some of the stock at Didcot & that seems to be a faded, unvarnished Gold Colour (i.e. a pale yellow ochre) - which *might* look white in a photo.

Useful to know if ever I have to lard another 2 gallons of red on W231 :wacko:

Have you got a broadside shot of an ex-works GUV? If you have, PM or e-mail me & I should be able to figure it out with a bit of digital cunning.

Pete.

 

I have a box load of unused assorted original BR carriage transfers printed by Tearnes of Birmingham and I can confirm they are the same colour as the lining colour as described in the document below which can be seen in the NRM library. The carriage lining for Carmine and cream was 3/8" gold, and 3/4" black.
In the Maroon livery: gold was 3/8" and black was 1". Do not take any notice of Parkins book on Mk1 coaches because he says that black was still 3/4" which is incorrect. I know this because I have measured the original lining on quite a few unrestored Mk1s and they were all hand painted with no variation in size or colour.
Tearnes will still print transfers to the original artwork to order but some preserved railways do not want the original colour because they prefer yellow for some reason.

British Transport Commission Specification No.30A Covering Materials to Be Used in Painting Locomotives Section 3

Item
11 Gold Colour Lining Paint ........... B.S. 381C 359 Middle Buff.
12 Cream....”.........”..........”...... B.S. 381C 352 Pale Cream
13 Grey......”.........”..........”................ B.S.381C 693 Aircraft Grey
14 Red........”.........”..........”......
15 Black.....”.........”...........”.....
16 Orange...”........”............”....
17 White.....”........”............”...