The LNER Encyclopedia

I've just seen a couple of videos on YouTube showing Sir Nigel Gresley in wartime matte black. I must say she looks tremendous to my eyes in this livery, which gives her a much greater aura of power than green or blue, although I wonder whether the 'LNER' on the tender is period-correct - shouldn't that be just 'NE? Sorry, livery isn't my strong point. The red nameplate is really well set off against the black paintwork.

The only thing I'd change would be to have India-red wheels, but that wouldn't be correct either. Also, she'd look like an A4 working for DB!

The Chrome letters/numbers were overpainted Yellow, it is correct.

Sorry Mick it does not have over painted chrome letters just transfers.

Dave wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:29 am Sorry Mick it does not have over painted chrome letters just transfers.

But it would have had them during the war...

Not much point getting replica metal letters made just so that they can overpaint them, especially when the loco will shortly be back in BR livery!

(And, to be pedantic, the originals were stainless steel, not chrome.)

What about the 'LNER' on the tender - is that correct?

[quote="Danby Wiske" post_id=147573 time=1673347602 user_id=2809]
[quote=Dave post_id=147571 time=1673346548 user_id=1899]
Sorry Mick it does not have over painted chrome letters just transfers.
[/quote]

But it would have had them during the war...

Not much point getting replica metal letters made just so that they can overpaint them, especially when the loco will shortly be back in BR livery!

(And, to be pedantic, the originals were stainless steel, not chrome.)
[/quote]

I've seen 4498 in the late seventies into the eighties with a set of Chrome metal letters/numbers. What happened to those after they decided to repaint her in BR Blue? Surely they are still kicking around in store somewhere. Or were they sold off as fundraising for the upkeep/overhaul of the Locomotive.

Pyewipe Junction wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:07 pm What about the 'LNER' on the tender - is that correct?

Yes, because (as Mick pointed out) the original letters would have been overpainted in yellow...

2392 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:23 pm I've seen 4498 in the late seventies into the eighties with a set of Chrome metal letters/numbers. What happened to those after they decided to repaint her in BR Blue? Surely they are still kicking around in store somewhere. Or were they sold off as fundraising for the upkeep/overhaul of the Locomotive.

I expect they're stashed away safely - I wouldn't be at all surprised if SNG makes an appearance in LNER blue at some stage during the current boiler ticket, especially as she's now the only working A4...

[quote="Danby Wiske" post_id=147580 time=1673367952 user_id=2809]
[quote=2392 post_id=147576 time=1673349796 user_id=1608]
I've seen 4498 in the late seventies into the eighties with a set of Chrome metal letters/numbers. What happened to those after they decided to repaint her in BR Blue? Surely they are still kicking around in store somewhere. Or were they sold off as fundraising for the upkeep/overhaul of the Locomotive.
[/quote]

I expect they're stashed away safely - I wouldn't be at all surprised if SNG makes an appearance in LNER blue at some stage during the current boiler ticket, especially as she's now the only working A4...
[/quote]

Indeed you've prompted another memory Danby. At one of 4498's overhauls in the eighties. The tender was loaned/attached to 4472 Flying Scotsman, having been repainted apple green, complete with the chrome plated LNER lettering. Most odd to say the least. 'Scotsman was having her tender rebuilt/overhauled