I'm new here, so I am hoping that I am posting in the correct place. I have searched these forums and have not found the information I seek, so please forgive me if my enquiries have been duplicated elsewhere.
I am presently constructing an LNER quad-art brake composite from the Ian Kirk range of kits and am looking to add some interior detail. Perhaps members here would know the answers to my questions...
1) I know the colour of the third class seating would be a red/tan but can anybody please confirm the colour of the first class seats? I am assuming maybe a Prussian blue?
2) Did these units carry the usual oval mirrors and advertising in each compartment? If so, what were their dimensions? My fading memory suggests the mirrors were 18" across by 12" high, but I would like to confirm this.
3) I believe the ceilings would have been white (or a nicotine yellow, judging by the smoking compartments!) but what would be the colour of the separating partitions? Maybe plain teak, but other photos suggest a light grey?
There used to be some very useful interior pictures on the net but they'd vanished the last time I looked for them.
You could ask the North Norfolk if they have any published pictures?
I have a feeling they had mirrors and advertisements on the partitions and on the LNER builds those were grained rather than painted white (which the GNR ones were, I think).
The NNR have used a red and black moquette. It is also possible that a fawn and brown moquette could have been used too. Above the seats there is a teak frame containing hinged advertising frames. This goes up to at least the top of the luggage racks. Until the advent of blockboard the partitions were constructed from vertical tongue and groove board, which would been hidden higher up by millboard. I expect both above the racks and ceiling would have been off white. If they did put any mirrors in the frames they would be rectangular.
Many thanks, gents. I have taken a look at the NNR photo gallery, jwealleans, http://www.luphen.org.uk/public/2010/no ... ailway.htm and the fifth and seventh pictures down appear to confirm both your suspicions and those comments made by sawdust, so my gratitude to you both.
~You guys are faster than a speeding bullet - I think I'm going to enjoy my stay here.
It's always best to speak to the 'hands on' chaps, but Michael Harris' LNER Carriages has recently been reprinted, so it's available at a tiny fraction of the ridiculous prices it used to command and will give you a lot of this sort of information.
My paperback 2011 reprint of "LNER Carriages" arrived this morning and I must say it contains a wealth more information than the same author's "Gresley's Carriages" which I already had on the shelves, so many thanks for the tips.
I now have another question to tease you with...
The NNR quad-art set is nearly always pictured with the brake end facing, and it is quite clear that the lookout end is finished in teak. I presume that the inner coach ends would be painted black as per the usual practice for non-corridor suburban stock. But what about the outer non-brake end of the set? Teak or black? I have never seen photographic evidence to confirm either way and presently North Norfolk is rather a distance for me to look myself, so any advice would be gratefully received.
Perhaps someone on the NNR can confirm but I suggest that the set is finished as per 1923-28 and that the coach ends were varnished teak because from 1928 (approximately) non corridor coaches were finished with black ends and this included quad arts and other non corridor artics.
I cannot remember from memory but pre 1928 the vehicles would also be lined and I am not sure if the NNR set is? If it is not then the varnished end is incorrect.
