The LNER Encyclopedia

I have the Dapol 00 sentinel shunter, and a very nice thing it is.

I have one question. The rear deck appears to consist of the water filler mounted on a (wooden?) planked assembly, with coal bunkers either side.
On the 00 model, this is all finished in black. On their 0 scale however, this is brown (presumably as wood).

My instinct is this is wood - but what is the best way to finish it:

1) Coal-ingrained wood
2) Clean wood - on the grounds filling the water tank probably cleaned it each time - as per the Dapol 0 scale
3) Painted black - as per the Dapol 00 scale - or rather most of them. The 'LNER 150' version also had the 'wood' finish.

It's just such a prominent part of the loco, I'd like to get it right-ish. I've tried to find a colour pic of one that shows it, but of course unless you get a camera angle from a little above you can't tell. Any thoughts guys?

There is a fourth option...

The only 'downwards' photograph in Yeadon's Register shows the entire area piled high with coal, even with some on top of the cab.

That suggests that whatever colour it started it was 'coal' stained in service, mixed with some oil and water.

If you are not going to put some coal on it then option 1, but option 3 looks the best, with all the coal dust I'm not sure that you would be able to disinquish any wood being there. These are a couple of photos that were in a MRC article from May1964 with coal piled up.

Thanks guys.
Yep - coal seems the best way to go.

Cheers

As built the surrounding of the tank filler was just the top of the water tank. Any wood there would be a later addition.