NER Dynamometer Car

[Dave]

Brilliant Mike,
You are right the ends are teak finish.

[Bryan]

Mention was made earlier of Red Oxide or similar being used on the roof.

Would it actually be Indian Red instead as used on certain vehicles of interest to me?
Snowploughs.

[MikeTrice]

On the formation of the LNER the ex NER Dynamometer Car was renumbered and rebranded by the LNER when it became 3591N.

I am amazed no one has pulled me up on this. The correct initial LNER number should be 3591Y.

[Dave]

I can't believe you made a mistake !

[MikeTrice]

It depends how many whiskies I have had.

[MikeTrice]

At the beginning of this thread I suggested producing a timeline for the Dynamometer Car. Having changed tack at various points through the original postings here is what I believe to be the timeline for this vehicle and its livery at various points.

6th March 1906: First test - R Class 2109. Vehicle is in NER Crimson Lake livery which means both the sides and the ends are in Crimson Lake, and the various panels on the side and ends are lined. Running number 3591.

18th Oct 1923: Last test in NER livery - C11 no 878

9th June 1924: Repainted in imitation grained teak and given a slightly modified form of the NER lining to sides only. Relettered and rebranded "LNER" with running number 3591Y.

26th June 1924: First test run in LNER guise - GN Section 4419

3rd April 1928 - 25th Aug 1928: Gresley type bogies fitted and corridor connections added with end grill protector hinge positions swapped. Number changed from 3591Y to 23591. Still imitation teak with lining present.

26th Sept 1936 - 19th April 1937: Duckets fitted. H M Lane's photo would suggest that the ducket protection grills were in place at this point, however they were not visible at Mallard's speed run. Livery unchanged from earlier as emulated here:

3rd July 1938: Mallard's speed run.

4th July 1938 - 29th May 1946: In storage. Probably renumbered 902502 with grill protectors added to protect the ducket windows before re-entering service. Once again only the number panel appears to have been altered, the rest ofthe vehicle is still lined.

30th May 1946: Test runs with locos 484 and 1766 listed as practice runs and for staff training.

26th and 27th Feb 1948: Dynamometer Car sent to Derby to be re-calibrated along with the GWR and LMS cars

8th Apr 1948 - 3rd Sept 1948: Locomotive Interchange Trials. These were the first tests to be reported direct to British Rail. On 29th July 1948 the interior temperature of the vehicle was recorded at 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

4 Sept 1948 - 11 Nov 1948: Given full repaint in imitation teak but without lining. Branded as British Railways E902502

12th Oct 1951: Last test - Hunslet 500HP Diesel.

Latter half of 1963: Sent to Darlington for preparation for display in Clapham. Likely to have only involved regraining the panels containing lettering. LNER lettering restored. The "Dynamometer Car" lettering is not quite in the same place, it being incorrect on both sides. The photo above has been altered to show the correct lettering position.

If anyone would be kind enough to volunteer the use of one of their photographs of the "Dynamometer Car" lettering on the other side of the preserved vehicle, I will digitally reposition the lettering to reflect its correct position and post a comparison image.

P.S. At various points the measuring wheel did appear to be painted white when emerging from the paint shops, however as previously commented it was not evident during Mallard's run instead being covered in dirt.

Edited: Dates adjusted following drmditch's post below.

[drmditch]

26th Sept 1936 - 2nd July 1938: Duckets fitted, possibly just prior to Mallard's speed attempt. Livery unchanged from earlier as emulated here:

You are probably already aware of this, but White and Johnston 'LNER Locomotives in Colour 1936-1948' contains an HM Lane picture dated 1937 featuring the counter-pressure locomotive No.761. Also visible is one end of the Dynamometer Car showing the ducket in place. The end is teak finish, and the roof and clerestory are pretty much black!

[MikeTrice]

Interesting. I have been through that book several times and never spotted the Dynamometer Car in that photo.

The log book shows 761 was tested between 20th April 1937 to 22nd April 1937 and yes the duckets can be seen.

[MikeTrice]

Thanks to Trevor Hill giving me permission to use his photograph I can now show the preserved and original spacing of the Dynamometer Car lettering on t'other end.

As preserved:

As it should be (but without lining):

Trevor's original image can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/8096152241/

[MikeTrice]

The "DYNAMOMETER CAR" lettering still nags at me. Many years ago when first examining the lettering of the Dynamometer Car I got a strong impression that some of the hand painted letters were too wide, or painted in an "Extended" style". When producing the images showing the repositioned lettering I began to wonder if I had imagined it, but the early photographic evidence still showed differences.

The following modified image shows what I am talking about. On top is the hand painted letters as they currently are and below adjusted to the correct widths based on photographic evidence:

The following letters have been adjusted for width: "N" "A" "M" "O" and "C". The centre of the "M" has also been lowered.

Is there any hope for me?

[Kestrel]

Mike

I find it fascinating how you have modified the lettering in the photographs. How did you do it? What package are you using? How did you add the lining?

I'm sure we would all like to know.

Thanks in anticipation

[mick b]

Glad this has surfaced again .

Is their any news on Decals for the Dyno lettering please?? Strange no one seems to building any of the kits either ?? No idea at mo when mine is starting

[Dave]

I was wondering about the transfers for this, I did confirm a requirement.

When I finish the 3 other carriages I started then I will consider it, but it's safe in the box and I have all the info required to build it, plus I think I know how to line it, but not tried out the idea as yet.

Just working slowly through a pile of wagons that had been started years ago and getting them finished.

[MikeTrice]

Mike
I find it fascinating how you have modified the lettering in the photographs. How did you do it? What package are you using? How did you add the lining?

I'm sure we would all like to know.

Thanks in anticipation

Lettering modification: Photoshop
Lining: Inkscape

[Bryan]

Does anybody have a photo showing the paper roll and mounting used in the Dynamometer car?

I have just been given a roll of paper on a wooden mounting with the donor saying that "This was used on the Flying Scotsman"
I will take that last comment with a pinch of salt but thought that the roll may have been used in the Dynamometer car.
Other possibilities are from some form of Track Recorder but nothing recent.

Any thoughts anyone?