Spa Valley Railway - Latest News

The beauty has landed!

 

That magnificent 'Caley Blue' has to be a serious contender for the best livery anywhere, ever. I say that as someone who's interest north of the border is the Highland Railway!

Maybe Mr Bulleid should've ...... no, let's not go there!

 

Oh yes! Let’s go there! Although saying that early BR blue is very similar.

 

And looked very good on 35005

Andrew (coat on and running..........)

 

Indistinguishable ...... in the dark!

I'd bet I'm not the only one aching to see s21C11 in early BR woad, with sunshine 'BRITISH RAILWAYS' lettering on the tender (and really, I don't care if it never carried the 'express blue' in service!). Just think what it'll look like at the head of a rake in gleaming 'blood & custard'.

With 419 and 828 'abroad' (lucky us!) that just leaves 123, static in Glasgow, to fly the saltire for the Caley on it's home turf. Odd to think nearly as many are likely to clap eyes on these beauties while they're on holiday, as normally might in a full running season. I do hope both these superb ambassadors make their home lines better known to (and visited by) the non-gricing majority.

 

828 is now tucked up in 75F. Odd to think a Caledonian Railway locomotive is sat inside the only original London Brighton & South Coast Railway engine shed still in action...

The MK1 TSO is Blue & Grey on one side and Green on the other because we painted the worst B&G side but then never got around to the other side as we needed it in service and other coaches then needed work. Once TSO 5037 is complete later this year the need for 4999 to run as much will reduce.

 

Blue is my least favourite colour in general, but I do think it suits some locos very well.

How different is Great Eastern blue?

 

Pffft! It's days before April 1, you could start building up a rumour that you were going to do the whole rake like that and a diesel to match...

 

So it's going to be totally B&G in the end? Are you aiming for one green set and one B&Gset?

 

Not sure where or how it could happen, but at some point lining it up alongside the SE&CR livery worn by the likes of the O1 on the Bluebell would be most pleasing. Must be the two most ornate liveries going in preservation right now.

 

Quite a bit darker, think a sort of Navy Blue? I’m sure someone will remind me of the correct shade it’s called.

 

I don't think there is intention for B&G set - it was a B&G side that was repainted on that coach.

 

01, 812 and Y14 get together anyone......

 

I am surprised the Y14 has never visited the Bluebell for the Branchline weekend since it would look good hauling the Mets.

 

An extract from Phoenix Precision Paints' website:

"A Number of members of the Great Eastern Railway society, including ourselves, have done a large amount of resech over the last 5-8 years and have eventually come to the conclusion, based on official purchase records and board minutes, as well as reference to coloured German lithographs of the period, that the correct colour is Ultramarine (P507)"

The same source lists Caley three liveries. Prussian Blue, Royal Blue (both darker than) Sky Blue. Unfortunately, of those three, Precision's website currently only pictures the Royal Blue, which is listed as their P426.

To my eyes (which it needs stating are old and knackered), the GER Ultramarine appears a little less 'rich' and has a slightly 'slate blue/grey' tone, compared with the Caley Royal Blue. That's purely subjective and in any case refers to online images of photographs taken under unknown lighting conditions.

My ham-fisted approach to internet searches failed to produce a useful image comparing the two darker Caley hues

Then there's the question of which undercoats and varnishes were applied.

 

And a J15 was supposed to be on the Bluebells shopping list for motive power

 

Then it is long over due for a visit, I hope one is arranged next year, if it is available.

 

Unless I am mistaken there was a pic of 419 at Bo'ness on here last night, has it been taken down? I only ask because I was the driver and I wouldn't mind getting a hi res copy from the photographer.
Regards
Martin

 

Martin . That photo was with a post on the West Somerset thread. I thought that the driver looked like you when I saw it.

Hopefully this link will work.

https://national-preservation.com/t...eral-discussion.508987/page-2113#post-2730657

 

I posted it in the West Somerset thread.
This is the link:

West Somerset Railway General Discussion