The LNER Encyclopedia

There was quite a lot of controvercy when Pete Waterman had Flying Scotsman in Br green. What's everyone's opinion on if she was to wear Br green again in the near future?

Hm, not sure. Personally I'm not too bothered, on one hand it'd be interesting to see an A3 in BR Green. But on the other, in my opinion, we have too many locos in BR livery as it is.

Sorry to nit pick 60800,but pete waterman did not own or have any say at all in 4472/60103 being painted BR green.........it was painted at Babcocks in the west midlands following extensive boiler repairs at their works.It left there and went to the south devon railway and then onto the GWR at toddington......while it was here Pete Waterman bought into it.At the time of it's painting it was owned solely br Sir Bill McAlpine who gave permission for the change of livery.
Best wishes
Crispy.

I'd second that Majormagna.

I'm afraid I don't remember steam locos in everyday service at all, and I have no allegiance to BR green which to me is a boring GWR colour! It seems a shame for the huge variety of liveries used by the numerous old railway companies not to be represented amongst the preserved examples.

We are lucky that most of them have been saved at all, and I certainly don't think we have the right to tell their owners (especially where they are private individuals) what colour they should paint their locos.

I think it is reasonable to portray locos in any of the liveries they wore during their lives, even if modifications/rebuilds took place. For example, to me, Royal Scot is an LMS loco, and I have no problem with it in red.

As a keen modeller, I very much regret the predominance of BR green RTR models, but if we believe Hornby and Bachmann, this is because the demand is stacked in their favour, led by the 12in to 1ft bias.

If our beloved steam is to survive into the future, it will need the support of the public in general, not just the enthusiasts. Variety of livery certainly enhances the spectacle and the marketability of the real thing.

Who's for an A4 in Br experimental purple then?

Well, regarding liveries how many locos do you know of that have carried BR Express Blue in preservation?
60007 and 6023 are the only two I can think of. And personally, contradicting my earlier post, I couldn't imagine Sir Nigel Gresley in any other livery! (At least one of the A4s is in LNER livery)

I couldn't imagine 60007 in any other livery than Br blue or 60009 in any other livery than Br green either

2002EarlMarischal wrote:I don't remember steam locos in everyday service at all, and I have no allegiance to BR green which to me is a boring GWR colour! It seems a shame for the huge variety of liveries used by the numerous old railway companies not to be represented amongst the preserved examples.

2002EarlMarischal wrote:As a keen modeller, I very much regret the predominance of BR green RTR models,

I fully agree, if not more so!

Note to hornby: apple green A4's and early apple green A1/A3's please

I couldn't imagine 60007 in any other livery than Br blue

Which just goes to show how quickly ideas change. When I was involved she was 4498 and there was never any question of changing the livery even though it was strictly inaccurate (no valances).

The finish on the BR blue livery is exceptional but I suspect that's more to do with progress in paint technology than an inherent quality of the colour. Or perhaps they polish it more than we did then.

No valances, double instead of single chimney. Didn't detract from the look. If numbered in the Thompson numbering scheme, 60007 (no.7) wouldn't have been as inaccurate (only the chimney and an acceptable compromise at that). I think the best of all worlds would be the BR branded Garter Blue, with the Thompson numbering scheme, but there you go.

I first saw Scotsman in Dark Green - my first sighting of a steam locomotive, in real life, full stop - and to this day I can understand the attraction, power, and commercial advantage of the apple green - but 4472 will always be 60103 to me.

I would be at my happiest with 60103 restored to dark green, but with a new smokebox door incorporating the most accurate details - split handrail, lower smokebox numberplate - for in 1994, Scotsman's smokebox door was not correct.

But I can equally accept the need and the desire to see 4472 and with a single chimney once more.

S.A.C. Martin wrote:I first saw Scotsman in Dark Green - my first sighting of a steam locomotive, in real life, full stop - and to this day I can understand the attraction, power, and commercial advantage of the apple green - but 4472 will always be 60103 to me.

I know exactly where you're coming from, as Green Arrow looks beautiful in apple green, but she was the first steam loco I ever saw at York in 2001 when she was wearing Br green and she will always be 60800 to me

Well, regarding liveries how many locos do you know of that have carried BR Express Blue in preservation?

MajorMagna - I am pretty certain that one of the Merchant Navies was in the BR blue livery in the '90s, may have been Port Line.

Solario wrote:

Well, regarding liveries how many locos do you know of that have carried BR Express Blue in preservation?

MajorMagna - I am pretty certain that one of the Merchant Navies was in the BR blue livery in the '90s, may have been Port Line.

It was Canadian Pacific, 35005.

Unless I am mistaken, on of Hornby's first 'new' merchant navies was 35005 in br blue