The LNER Encyclopedia

Speaking of black Britannias, here it is leaving WSR's Blue Anchor station last Saturday.

Thanks for posting that shot . . . but . . . oh my gosh, I've never seen a Britannia looking that black and shiny before - and I've seen plenty.

G'Day Gents

I know there's a bit of a do going on in Libya and Afghanistan but are they painting the diesels black as well

Don't look right though, far to clean, need a couple of buckets of ............soot

manna

I remember plenty of black brits at Kingmoor 1966, it was just filth.

I know that "it's their loco and they can paint it how they like" but one day they are going to rely on the income from people like myself, and I am only likely to pay to see (or ride behind) locos that are in authentic liveries.

I think it is in the livery that it ran it's initial trials in January 1951. It looks identical to what is featured in the NRM picture in the RCTS book on the Standard Pacific classes.

Personally, I look forward to it in Brunswick Green going out of the Cross heading towards Cleethorpes. Much more to my taste!

p.s. former Hornsey EMU, Bounds Green and laterly Bristol Bath Road guv'nor John Cronin now organises the special days down at the WSR. He is always on the lookout for a "big draw" for these events.

Yes, John Cronin is Chairman of the WSR Special Events committee. If Neil Gow is still in West Somerset on Wednesday this week I am in Minehead Signal box that day and Brittania is running - look me up and the kettle might be on!

strang steel wrote:I know that "it's their loco and they can paint it how they like" but one day they are going to rely on the income from people like myself, and I am only likely to pay to see (or ride behind) locos that are in authentic liveries.

I don't know......................it looks very smart to me..............and very cool. I don't know what all the fuss with black locos is about.
I would rather have a fully functioning black loco, than a static, not-in-steam authentic liveried version.

Malcolm

Sorry V3man, I'd like to take your offer up of a brew but dear old Swindon is just too far away, SWMBO gets snotty if I take too many days out to enjoy myself.

However, a lineside chat informed me that 70000 ran in black for a few months after leaving Crewe Works in 1951. On being painted BR Brunswick green it acquired the Britannia nameplates at a naming ceremony, believed to have been held at St Pancras station.

Apparently a re-dedication naming is to take place at St. P. this year when the loco goes back to green. Date unknown.

Having said all that I think it looks very good in shiny black but many of us of a certain age will remember when steam locos were so filthy the numbers could be barely read even when on the platforms. Preservation has spoiled them.

NG

Very smart, I don't mind black at all; I'm going to get shot down in flames for this, but I think that steam loco's should either be black or brunswick green, I've never been a fan of some of the more garish pre-grouping liveries - not that that would apply to a brittania of course.
With the wheels partially hidden by the fence, I can't help thinking that it looks just like a 9F!

Hi

I was also struck by the thought 'Clean 9F' when I saw Britannia on Saturday. I think I have attached a couple of photos of her (if it didn't work - sorry)

If anyone's interested OLIVER CROMWELL is heading a 'steam special' out of LIVERPOOL STREET today (Saturday 26th March) dep LIVERPOOL STREET at 09:05 and arr at NORWICH at 12:08

And 70013 then goes to Sheringham (arr. 14.15) and onto the North Norfolk Railway to Holt arriving there at 14.45

Norfolkman

I'm a long-supporter of rail, though not an ultra-enthusiast of steam : But, these photos of 70000: For me -
-typical loco grimy-black? - No ;
-customary green - No ;
-clean - Yes ;
-smart - VERY!
-disapproving of a 'Brit' made to look this way - Certainly not.

G'Day Gents

Been a long time since we've had two Brits working at the same time, whatever the color

manna