2999: Lady of Legend

The caption on the photo says lined BR black.

 

From the website as below (doesn't answer all of the questions but some more info)

Prior to the launch, we have agreed to display the locomotive in a black livery, which is now being applied, prior to final painting in the Edwardian lined green livery which she will carry in service. We are planning to display the Saint in this condition at Didcot over the weekend 17/18 November – she will not operate any trains but will be posed for viewing and photography. She will also not carry the 2999 Lady of Legendplates, but on one side will be 2908 Lady of Quality (the plates of which are in the possession of the Great Western Trust) and on the other side 2983 Redgauntlet with a red background – the latter are replica plates.

 

Isn't this at the behest of the "Paint it Black Brigade" of photographers?

 

Historically accurate or not, I gather it is bringing in a considerable amount of money, so it would be almost daft not to.

Of course they could really upset people, and paint it khaki.

 

I can't say I'd travel to see it, but if folk are being good enough to pay for it and it's only a temporary thing then who are we to argue, fill your boots!

 

Yes it is. A group of photographers have paid for it to be painted in BR black before it receives its proper livery of middle chrome green. What is the problem with that?

 

as you know john some people are just a pain in the arse

 

If a group of 'Paint it Black Brigade' photographers have paid for it what's the big deal?

 

I will go and see it so that's £6.50 for Didcot

 

If it's in lined black shouldn't it carry Maindy Hall plates?

 

Shouldn't it be St Benedict?

 

Just for the record as it doesn't have the curved drop to the running plate it isn't strictly correct for BR livery.

 

Yes actually. One was used as the reading pilot loco till 1953ish. It's in Adrian vaughns first book on signalling.

 

My apologies, it was a curved frame saint which did.
https://goo.gl/images/zk5b1D

 

Difficult to think of a locomotive that looks worse in that livery...

 

That must apply to all GWR tender engines, they all look the same!

 

It's only a livery that will be carried for a very short period, before the loco is steamed. A number of Saints (and Courts) carried lined BR black. No Saints ran in BR days with straight front end frames. Lady of Quality and Lady of Lynne retained the straight running plate under the cab in the early 50's, but were modified with outside steam pipes and curved front ends. Neither received BR lined black livery. Ivanhoe received a smokebox door number plate, wasn't repainted in BR lined black, but retained inside steam pipes. Also, the new 2999 will carry a Modified Hall improved draughting chimney, which is unauthentic but a compromise has to be accepted.
2999 may be unauthentic in BR lined black, but I think it will look superb. Well done and thank you to the photographers that are funding the short lived livery change!

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but why are photographers so keen on black livery? Does it give a sharper photo or something? Does a monochrome photo of a dark green loco look very different from a black one?

 

There is no preference for black livery but a lot have nostalgia for the BR period. I'm not personally interested in this repainted as the loco is not in a condition it would have been in during the BR period

 

Locomotion? Rocket? Lion??