More 1930's and 40's paint schemes would be nice

I didn't know the non BR livery was a complete ban, but I knew BR weren't keen on being associated with "outdated technology." I think the blue and grey livery was the most depressing livery ever applied to anything to run on rails, it encapulates the dingy railway network that BR was, which is why I'd much prefer any Mk 2s on preservation railways to be painted in something a little more "heritage" as I don't think blue and grey really is.

 

Yes, it was. I remember it, but I'm not sure how long it lasted or why it was lifted.

There was a body of opinion in BR at the time which wanted to distance itself from any notion of the old fashioned steam engine and point the Great British Public in the direction of the wonderful new, exciting diesels. Some of the official announcements of the time were laughable, but something had to be done to justify the millions spent - and often wasted - in the pursuit of the diesel agenda. So the BR crest on the side of a steam engine was not to be tolerated.

 

There was an article in Steam Railway about the sale of Clan Line to MNLPS I've just re-read it and cant find it now! I think one of the conditions of sale was 'it shall not be displayed to bring embarrasment to the British Railways Board' or somthing like that, dont think you could accuse them of that now!

 

It was certainly still the case in 1964. When Fenchurch arrived on the Bluebell, she very quickly had the BR totems painted out and the number on the smokebox was changed from 32636 to 2636 (her old SR number, though obviously not originally carried LMS-style). Fairly soon after, she was repainted into hybrid Fenchurch / Newhaven Harbour livery (different on each side - well, you can't see both at once!) Interestingly though, despite the BR corporate edict, one of the people instrumental in ensuring Fenchurch was saved was Dr Beeching, who issued an instruction that she should be stored until the Bluebell could raise the purchase price.

I think the first Bluebell loco to run in BR livery was probably 75027, which arrived ca. 1968. My guess is that, with the demise of mainline steam, BR were no longer so worried that people might confuse "preserved" steam with their mainline operation. Interestingly, within three years of that date, BR's own workshops were carrying out contract restoration of a locomotive on behalf of the Bluebell, so evidently they weren't too averse to steam if there was money in it!

Tom

 

The Radial Tank at Swindon? Have a lovely photo of it with various Hydralics around it.

 

That's the one! (Well, one of the Bluebell radial tanks, we have a couple...)

Tom

 

Sorry I meant 488 specificly! Im think Leander was also overhauled at Derby around the same time too as you say BR liked Steam when it suited them!

 

And Blue Peter at Doncaster. I recall watching Peter Purves "helping" with the work. Would have been about 1969 or 70, I reckon.

I'm all for a diversity of liveries. I associate BR liveries with the end of steam, so the earlier and more colourful, the better. Looking forward to seeing 92 Squadron in malachite green, even if she does carry number 34081 and "British Railways" spelt out on the tender in Gil Sans. Would like to see City Of Wells in that garb, too, but suspect it will never happen...

 

Just tried looking for Blue Peter @ Donny 1970 on youtube no joy yet! 60532 is a beast tho was lucky enough to have it on the 'Ayr Raider' in 1997 this was the tour that started off somthing extraordinary with this engine, really seemed to fly over hills the next few years... This is a machine that should have a fire in its belly and soon! And it should be in Dark Green with Sky Blue plates. Makes it look like it oozes power. (which it does)

 

I tend to find most pre-grouping and many pre-nationalization liveries fussy and overly ornate for my taste. British Railways liveries are by and large on the bland side - especially coaching stock maroon - but I still prefer them over most others. However I can only agree with all those that think that any livery is far superior to British Rail blue/gray which is has as far as I am concerned nothing going for it whatsoever.

I do have a soft spot for the post war LMS livery, simple but classy, also I like the Bulleid Sunshine livery era with 34090 in that wonderful hybrid SR-BR livery when first built.

 

N class 31874 - now preserved - was photographed by DT Rowe with a rake of LMS stock behind it in 1956 at the site of the St Leonards DEMU depot with a Hastings-Leicester train. Another interesting shot I've unearthed is in Les Elsey's book on the Southern Moguls showing 31894 near Lewes with an army special from Brighton to Shorncliffe consisting of what looks very like LMS stock - presumably having been worked down to Brighton on a through train the previous Saturday. I must admit, when I (along with scores of others) photographed 31806 hauling the Severn Valley's LMS rake a couple of years ago, my first thought was M&SWJ. I guess such a combination would have been possible on this line (although GWR stock would have been more common), but can't find any photographic evidence to back this up.

 

A similar thing happened with the first preserved BR diesels. When Thompson's first loaned D5032 to the NYMR back in 1976, BR permitted the loan on the condition that the double arrow logo and TOPS number were painted out. Not a very cunning disguise, it has to be said.

 

I think there was also a body of opinion in preservation at the time which wanted to distance itself from association with British Railways...

 

Indeed the IWSR in its early days deliberately went to SR liveries to distance itself from the recent past.

 

Was it not that preserved steam locos could not wear BR markings during the late 60's ?

 

That's how I remember it. Some of the pictures of locos arriving at the Bluebell show the B.R. crest painted out and the number 'doctored'. Ray.

 

I'm not against pre BR liveries per say, but it would be nice for a few more lines to have some matching coaches for the effect to work, a GWR Prairie on 4 Colletts is just as pleasing as a standard 4 on some maroon Mk1's on my opinion, where it goes a bit awry in my mind would be something like 1300 sporting L&Y livery hauling blue and grey MK2's.

While Tom is right that some odd combinations did occur with inter regional workings, especially around nationalisation with liveries changing, a 30's loco hauling 60/70's stock is a little difficult to justify.

 

Still does doesn't it ?.

 

Maybe I've not seen it for years.
Daniel