Liveries!

There’s a piece in ‘Grime and Glory’ by Adrian Vaughn about how in the late 19th Century Paddington looked like it had 2 different companies serving it as the loco’s from the Northern (Wolverhampton) and Southern (Swindon) division had different liveries. I think this was also something to do with the gauge war?

It appears there was a North/South divide even in Victorian times. Where did the poor chap in charge of Worcester fit in?

 

Apologies if already covered: has there ever been talk about returning any of the Vale of Rheidol locos to BR Blue livery?

 

Very much in the GWR case. All about, I think, personalities and promotions.
Joseph and George Armstrong were brothers, and came to the GWR when the Northern division was formed with amalgamations/takeovers. They tended to run it as a continuation of the amalagamated lines. Joseph was promoted to take charge of Swindon after Gooch resigned, and may one say 'went native', while George took over at Wolverhampton and continued as before. Dean was George's assistant at Wolverhampton. Dean then was promoted as Joseph's assistant at Swindon. Joseph died in harness at 60, and Dean was appointed as Locomotive Superintendant - effectively placing him over George's head. It seems fairly clear that George was not happy about the thought of taking orders from his former junior, and maybe there was some thought that the 55 year old George wouldn't be there for ever. In any case Dean seems to have tactfully restrained from giving too many instructions to his former boss. In the event George was in post for another 20 years! When he eventually retired Churchward was already positioned as Dean's successor, and Wolverhampton independence rapidly diminished.

 

It always amuses me that at the end of the nineteenth century, LCDR locomotive livery was black with blue and grey lining. SER livery was also black with vermillion lining. And then they amalgamated and came out with a livery that looks like Wainwright took his inspiration from a tart's boudoir while dropping copious quantities of acid ...

It is very splendid though, particularly when next to the dark lake carriages.

Tom

 

The Southerns olive green with the large numbers I liked, prefer it to the later malachite green.

 

Malachite is always a tricky colour to nail down. I was watching a recent YT! clip of the IWSR [14th May 11'35"] and watching W24 exiting Haven Street (Rydewards) with the bogie set, all in malachite ..... in bright sunshine ..... clearly demonstrates this quality:

 

Considering the bit in bold, do you have some skeletons that need bringing out of the closet?

 

The Midland and LMS red was smart too. I also like the Caleys blue, and the GER.

 

I remember admiring this livery when I went to Newcastle many years ago:

 

I have a soft spot for 1310

Sent from my SM-A105FN using Tapatalk

 

I love Malachite. Lovely bright colour without losing the class that British liveries always had.

 

I bow to Your superior knowledge

 

An LCDR train must have looked fairly cheerless with its black engines and teak coaches. Wainwright made a big change there.

The basic Brunswick green of Wainwright's loco livery was surely dignified enough, even if the lining was rather OTT. Arguably, the light green colours of the GNR and NER were more gaudy, particularly with the Fletcher-era NER lining.

https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/910-ner-910-lner-910/

 

Maybe the the most lovely decorated tank engine ever?
(from an old postcard)




Knut

 

I wonder how many people were dismayed when they found out the "Tartan Paint" joke wasn't a joke?!

Richard.

 

Just try getting a quote from Williamsons for it!

 

You'd like this one then, Knut! (Note the whitewashed coal).



Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124446949@N06/52337460725/

Tom

 

The worst livery ever?

 

Isn't that a Brighton Royal Train board at the top of the smokebox? Some lèse majesté by the stationmasters, perhaps?
Pat

 

A certain lilac Light Pacific might run it close