Caerphilly Castle

As a long time lurker, thought it was about time to come above the parapet. Went to Steam Swindon on Friday. Obviously a first rate museum but I was a bit disappointed by the condition of 4073. Seemed to me the paint work was peeling a little and need to some TLC - for such a flagship loco I was a bit surprised. Do members agree and is anyone aware of plans to rectify?

Thanks

 

Unfortunately, it's been many years since I've had the chance to pay a visit to Steam. Is the paint actually peeling off the metal surfaces, or just it just looked crazed and/or cracked? The latter seems to be a very common problem for historic paint finishes on museum locomotives. If Anthony Coulls is reading this thread, perhaps he might be able to shed more light on this phenomenon?

Given that 4073 has an original Swindon works paint finish, my guess is that the museum would wish to avoid a total repaint if at all possible. Even if they did decide that rectification work was necessary, my guess is that they would look to touch-up only the worst affected areas.

 

Thanks - I'd have said more crazed / cracked. I guess if the metal of the loco has contracted / expanded over many seasons then paint may not remain as intended. Will post picture when I'm back home. Can understand why they wouldn't want to touch - I guess that's a touch of the City of Birminghams -however I think visitors expect engines to be pristine...

 

Haven't 2516 & 4003 still got original Swindon paintwork as well?

 

It's the varnish that has crazed, several of our other locos with older paint finishes are the same. It is stable and isn't getting any worse.

4003 is ex-Swindon works, but 2516 carries at least 3 shades of green on different parts due to old partial repaints carried out at Faringdon Street.

 

Thanks. Anthony