6233 in LMS red and wider livery debate of locomotives/stock

That's probably the best argument in favour of BR liveries! But then, I think it would be a great shame if we never saw the more colourful pre-1948 liveries represented on the main line. And let's face it, Joe Public isn't going to notice the difference between LMS coaches or Maroon Mk. 1s. We can't hope to achieve a 100% accurate recreation of the past - sometimes the best we can hope for is to recreate the right atmosphere.

Yes and no. It looks better when new, but is more difficult to maintain. Apparently the modern-day London Midland TOC considered adopting red as its livery, but ultimately decided that it would fade and weather so quickly that it would be impossible to keep it presentable.

As for 6233, I'd love to see her in blue, especially given that it is the last of the principal "Duchess" liveries that we haven't yet seen in preservation. However, there is another "Duchess" that I would love to see back on the main line in LMS red...and that's 6229!

 

No, 6201 ran - mostly - with a domed boiler in LMS days, No. 9048 from 10/35 to 9/37, then 9049, 9048 and 9049 again between 2/40 and 11/45, regaining a dome in 7/46 with 9049 again. At this period only boilers 9048-50 would fit 6200/01, the first two were fitted with domes at their first overhaul, but 9050 had to wait for BR days. She carried domed boiler, 9048, for the high speed trials of 16-17/11/36.

 

Thanks, I've learned something there, I knew 6200/1 could only use the first three boilers built pre war I assumed that they would be domeless. I didn't realise two of them were rebuilt with dome and seperatemop feed.

 

I totally disagree with the above quote! The person involved has paid for the cctv etc, paid a significant amount towards the overhaul of 6990, paid for a rake of coaches. I also believe he is helping out towards repairing a bridge. That's called supporting a railway not an ego trip.

J

 

I know exactly what the person has done for the railway in financial terms but what have they ended up with? A rake of Mk1s in spurious Pullman livery, one vandalised and made into an open balcony coach, a 9F with silly name and possibly more in the future. The slogan used to be "Recreating the Experience" but the way they have gone it's not recreating anything. I fear as the men in suits gradually take over on other Hritage lines there will be more of this sort of thing.

 

Isn't personally owning a steam loco something of an "ego trip" for anyone wishing to fulfill that personal ambition, much in the way having a vintage car, football club or castle might be? They're all vanity projects to satisfy an individual desire or curiosity ultimately, even if a loco is bought for a Railway by a benefactor its still a form of personal fulfillment.

 

Go buy your own railway the Jon.

 

When I win the Euromillions I might but I will have due respect for the the historical significance of what I've bought.

 

Possibly which is probably why it brings out the " I'm going to do this to my property because I can" attitude and the fact they have bought an important historical artefact is overlooked.

 

What's all this got to do with 6233?

 

Quite right, nowt! Sorry for my part in thread drift.

 

I'm sorry too. For me it has got to be red. There is a wonderful photograph of 46251 next to a castle on Swindon shed. The Duchess stands out amongst the dark green. Saying that, I would also like to see blue for a while.

J

 

I am inclined to agree, and yet I'm not sure why blue is good on an A4 but not on much else. Caley 123 looks good though.

 

The GER Ultramarine was an attractive livery I thought.

 

The Princess Royals looked the korean meatballs in blue as well, going off the Hornby model of 46208 from my childhood. Personal preference as usual; I reckon the big Lizzie would also suit it

 

I, ah, would tend to disagree with this statement. There is quite visible external visual evidence of air braking. Where might that evidence be seen? Below the buffer beams. I can see air brake hoses hanging down there, which, to this Atnipodean at least, do not appear on vacuum braked princess Coronation Class Pacifics.

 

There is a difference between minor modifications to historic appearance, to which efforts are often made to reduce their visible effect, and a wholesale major change in appearance which has nothing to do with an ability for the loco to actually operate,

 

You have failed to mention the steam heat valve and pipe on the front buffer beam. This was not carried prior to preservation.

 

Hang fire on the BR Blue until Mr Hoskings has his mainline Blood and Custard rake completed.

Who wouldn't smile at the sight of a blue Duchess hauling that rake up Shap and back over the S&C!