A3 colours and dates question

[burnie]

Hi, I've tried googling to no effect, but is there a list of dates as to when colour changes took place, in particular A3 Pretty Polly, I am considering adding a model to my model of the Great Central and the one I am looking at is painted blue. As I model 1955 to 1965 period, I just wondered if I am in the correct livery for the period, I don't recall seeing it in blue, but the memory is definitely not what it was.

[65447]

The BR experimental liveries were early days and short-lived. By 1955 British Railways was on the cusp of switching to the 'new' emblem and changing coaching stock liveries to Maroon (plus regional colours) - this transition took effect from 1956 so applies to most of your chosen period. By 1965, the newly-minted British Rail was commencing the switch to the blue/grey/red corporate branding.

[burnie]

Thanks for the reply, I remember certain classes of locos of other colours, other than just black, but I was sure I never saw an A3 in blue livery, I may still have the one I am watching, just add a bit of modeler's licence and stretch the date a bit to accommodate it. Going to need a rake of teak coaches too I guess.

[JASd17]

The last LNER Pacific listed in blue was 60104 which went into the works in BR Blue in May 1953, emerging in BR Green in June.

Pretty Polly had livery BR blue between 11/1950 and 8/1952 according to RCTS Part 2A.

John

[burnie]

Thanks John, it would seem it left Leicester Central shed on the 4th of June 1950 and went to Doncaster for it's lick of paint.

[STAFFORDA4]

Might I mention that these days one can often see second hand RCTS green-bibles at swapmeets and even toyfairs etc at cheap prices
I'd suggest part 2A The Pacifics is well worth getting for the enormous amount of fascinating information it contains (not just liveries)
I can honestly say its "a right riveting read"!

[burnie]

Thanks for that, not too many swapmeets up here, but I will have a scout around.