RUSSELL RETURNS TO STEAM 2nd AUGUST 2014

I'd have to look it up again to be sure but IIRC the Midland Rly painting spec included 2 coats of red oxide, 1 coat of Crimson Lake top coat, 1 coat of 50/50 Crimson Lake/varnish mixture and then varnish to finish. I believe that the undercoat affects how we perceive the finished colour - red oxide will give it a redder hue, grey primer will give it a purple hue. Varnish should help prevent it turning 'pink' but the paintwork will always 'age' with heat, and oil etc. Just my 2p worth.
Ray.

 

RUSSELL in Steam and in daylight

 

RUSSELL moves for the first time.

 

More RUSSELL photos This is my selection from the last few days.

 

Well done, superb job and on time too.

 

Well it has to be said, I don't think it looks that pink anymore! Maybe still a bit 'bright'(?) but the overall finish and lining is really superb, certainly one stunning loco. It looks so pristine its almost a shame to actually use it...!

 

Phwoar....she really is quite beautiful

 

Russell and Lyd double heading - that'd be something ... !

 

Well done to all involved. I'm only sorry I can't be there for the relaunch this weekend. I hope it will not be too long before I can finally make the trip to re-acquaint myself with Russell!

 

Just finished cleaning/working on her. The weather is shocking but I have a feeling tomorrow will be a good day in Porthmadog.

 

Well after a very wet start the weather broke just before she was due to be unveiled. The weather remain bright till about 5.30pm. I was correct it WAS a good day to be in Porthmadog.

 

Russell looked good at P y M yesterday as we passed on the bypass. Will have to go for a closer look whilst we are here.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/99064374@N03/

A few more pictures from the weekend have been added, now back home in Hampshire recovering... A fantastic few days for the WHHR. There are a few items on the snagging list, but not many considering the tight deadline between delivery and commissioning. Once I know the dates he will be steaming next I will let everyone know.

 

She looks stunning, the colour looks great, compare it to the buffer beams [ that's bright ]. I love the attention to detail such as the rivets and the double lining.
So many of our narrow gauge locos had this sort of lining [ like Corris no4 ] but they don't carry it today.
She looks much better than when I saw her in the 1990's the smooth side tanks always looked odd to me.

 

Picture of yesterday evenings shunting by Mark Seale. Maybe next year they can all be in steam.

 

Nice line up of loco's. Once Gelert's been treated to its new boiler it just needs lining out to really look the part, then in a few years add 590(lookalike), and maybe even Karen and Lady Madcap?!

 

OK, my turn for flikr link to my shots of the week.......though they include some of the FR, NGG16s and 61994 to complete the full atmospher of Porthmadog these days......oh and some of Nexuas

https://www.flickr.com/photos/owenchapman/sets/72157646232435894/

 

It would have been nice to have been able to join in the livery debate, but when I visited the WHHR last week 'Russell' was locked up in a shed and out of public view. What's more, we were only allowed 20 minutes at The Farm and then shepherded back onto the train so not enough time to look round the museum exhibits properly or for the kids to explore the engines open for viewing. On previous visits we have always had plenty of time to look round and then get a later train back to Porthmadog. Not this time though!

As for 'Russell', many people have contributed to the cost of the overhaul and I felt that they should be permitted to see and photograph what they had helped to fund even if it isn't in steam. Thank goodness for Flickr and other people's pictures!

 

As the carriage No.25 / 9 is painted in "Midland Maroon" I'll reserve judgement until the two are close enough together for a comparison (and I've got my colour swatch in hand!)
However, congrats all round, Russell looks splendid, found in the museum shed, just inside the doors to the yard, when I went a couple of days ago.