De-streamlined A4's

I never said I didn't like Pre-Grouping or Big Four liverys on locomotives and I just like BR liverys. There is nothing wrong with that and most people like BR liverys. In my opinion all Pre-Grouping, Big Four and BR liverys are equally great liverys. It is just I get a bit annoyed when people hate on BR liverys and Gladstone is not running anyway. It is on display at NRM York.

 

I think you'll find most people like BR liveries, it's just the ubiquity of them that is making people want alternatives.

Sawdust.

 

....... for the time being!

 

As this is a thread about unclothed A4s, this may be of interest - showing "Mallard", mid 1980s, partially stripped down under overhaul, including Peter Townend clambering about it explaining some of the features of interest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p011w7wx/steam-days-3-the-quest-for-speed

The Mallard stuff starts at about 19'00", but the whole programme is worth a watch.

(As an aside - given a choice between Miles Kington and Michael Portfolio on these kinds of programmes does make you lament the passing of an age...)

Tom

 

BR lined black is essentially LNWR lined black.

BR lined green is essentially GWR lined green.

I'm surprised that the new nationalised railway plumped for traditional liveries, rather than something modern as the new standard. For example:


or


... but I guess we're well off the topic of destreamlined A4s now !

 

Correct. It's the ubiquity that makes it somewhat boring.

Doesn't it just? The BBC 4 'Collections' series is an absolute goldmine of viewing.

p.s. it's Townend - no 's'

 

That’s what I typed - damn autocorrect evidently hasn’t had its “personages of significance” module properly configured... Corrected now.

Tom

 

That might be a stretch. To me BR liveries, especially the late ones, represent the absolute nadir of the British Railway system, and if the whole of the 60s on the railway system could be expunged from memory it would be no bad thing.
The closures, the filth, the desperate mismanagement of the diesel transition, the appalling industrial relations, the poor customer care, the acceptance of (mis)managed decline, the british rail sandwich, there's not really a lot to celebrate...

 

Ahhhh...but for those of us who were teenagers back then, there is a lot to celebrate and reminisce about. Don't worry, most of us will have gone up the crem chimney in 20/30 yrs time!

As for the BR sandwich...processed cheese and tomato was the best, followed by an apple and blackberry pie (Gala?)...especially when purchased from the buffet car of the 08.25 Buchanan Street - Aberdeen or the 13.30 return in the summer of 1966.

 

I was one of those teenagers, but absolutely with Jimc on this one!

 

Indeed and the passing of Miles Kington himself about 10 years ago, very sad and sorely missed.

Cheers,

Alan

 

But there is lot of locomotives that can only wear BR liverys such as BR Standards and rebuilt SR Bulleids. Most heritage railways try to recreated the 50s and 60s. Plus most people live remember these times and saying it is everywhere makes it boring. Is a bit harsh when most things are common is usually a good thing and that is liking saying Football is boring. Because everyone plays it and during early days of preservation. There was hardly any BR liverys and I guess people don't like BR blue on diesels as that is common. Not every thing is in BR liverys as there is plenty locomotives in industrial, Pre-grouping and Big Four liverys. I reckon the total on small industrial tank engines in industrial liverys that are in preservation is higher than steam locomotives in BR liverys.

 

I for one have been sort of waiting for the "colour" debate to kick off and so it has...........!

 

I always rather liked the VoR tanks in plain woad ..... before all that fussy lining out.
(runs for cover)

 

Let's face it, if someone restored their worn out Loco to "Ex Barry Condition", there would be someone on here complaining that the shade of rust was incorrect!!!

 

And for those aware - I believe that microwave technology was being introduced with a bacon bap being one of the early products available; as for the fruit pies the Gala strawberry and apple was a subtle taster for dessert !

 

Any nominations for which formerly running locomotive on which line is currently making the best attempt at rturning to that condition?

 

I thought 'Gala Pie' was pork pie with an egg running through it?

For me in the 1970s, it was a Mr. Kipling Individual Apple and Blackberry pie - a size that now seems to have disappeared?

 

If you think about what my comment said, you'll realise I was defending BR liveries.

Do many railways set out to recreate the 50s and 60s, or is just that they have Mk1s?

Sawdust.

 

I have no actual problem with BR liveries, but the idea of having none of the working A4s showing the magnificence of Gresley's original vision with valances, whether in the LNER silver, apple green or my preferred garter blue.

I think most people accept Flying Scotsman looks at her best in BR Green given her physical condition (double chimney, deflectors, etc). If she had a single chimney, I don't think there'd be any argument for not applying her most familiar LNER green.

MK1s are everywhere: but it is what it is. Mk1s were available in large numbers so preservationists bought them. Having locomotives in BR liveries to accompany them makes sense.

On the Bluebell the last few weeks I have observed three locomotives: one in a BR livery, one in a fictional livery, one in a grouping era livery, one in a pre-grouping livery. Without a shadow of a doubt, Bluebell in her blue livery, and the O1 in her SECR were the locomotives which drew the crowds.

However it must be said that seeing Camelot on the Mk1s is a very pleasing sight.

There's no hard and fast rule for this. Different railways have different criteria to fill. We can't suddenly decide they must all follow the same guidelines for painting.

I just object to having another working A4 in BR green when we already one.