Livery colour question

Rob Pulham

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Hi all,

Chris is embarking on another painting and the subject is an ex GCR 04 there is also an 08 (?) in the background of the photo and what we are struggling with is whether it would be green or blue? The photo was taken by Bill Wright in 1965 and he has given Chris permission to use it.

lner class O4 2-8-0 stavely - Copy.jpg
this is a crop from the photo but the full sized photo and accompanying information can be viewed here:

Hi-Res R0026 by Bill Wright, on Flickr

many thanks for any help that anyone can offer.
 
AJC

AJC

Western Thunderer
Definitely green. Two reasons: 1. I can't think of a case where that emblem was applied to a loco in Rail Blue and, 2. Wouldn't a 350/08 be rather freshly liveried if painted blue in '65? That one is nicely grubby.

Adam
 
Rob Pulham

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Thanks Adam,

That was my thought too but was pushed to question it by the bluish cast in the photo and I have to admit that I don't know enough about BR/diesels to offer any sort of comment on them.
 
daifly

daifly

Western Thunderer
The blue cast seems to be a feature of many photos of the period - even the ballast (bottom left) appears blue. A few minutes in Photoshop should restore a more appropriate colour balance!
Dave
 
mickoo

mickoo

Western Thunderer
D4064 is a rarer class 10 loco, not the more common 08.

We had one at the Port (D3489) for many years, the last in service I think and now preserved along with three others. Spent many a frosty Monday morning trying to jump start that beastie.

D4064 was scrapped in 1968 so highly unlikely to have ever been painted blue.
 
mickoo

mickoo

Western Thunderer
AJC said:
Definitely green. Two reasons: 1. I can't think of a case where that emblem was applied to a loco in Rail Blue
Adam
Click to expand...
I give you 76 022.
76 022_Guide Bridge.jpg

This wasn't a paint around the old totem as the background is blue. The engine carried this until scrapping in 1981. I think there may have been a class 20, maybe others, but can't be sure, dim memories.

A lot of class 76 carried the old totem when first painted in BR blue (unlike the EM2, AL1-5 which were electric blue) with small and full front warning panels, 26002, 13, 14, 18, 23, 25, 50 are ones I've seen/have access to colour photos of, all reverted to the double arrows when TOPS was applied I presume, but 022 sneaked past.
 
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AJC

AJC

Western Thunderer
I might have known the Woodhead electrics were different...

Adam
 
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jjnewitt

jjnewitt

Active Member
Another vote for green. As far as I'm aware BR didn't start repainting locos into BR blue until the second half of 1966.
Justin
 
Heather Kay

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
I’d say it was black. Even a dirty green engine would show some sign of being green. That has all the hallmarks of being black, which was the original livery scheme of the DE shunters. It’s also quite feasible it went through works, got repainted black and had the later totem and compressed numbers stuck on.
 
AJC

AJC

Western Thunderer
Heather Kay said:
I’d say it was black. Even a dirty green engine would show some sign of being green. That has all the hallmarks of being black, which was the original livery scheme of the DE shunters. It’s also quite feasible it went through works, got repainted black and had the later totem and compressed numbers stuck on.
Click to expand...

And were it an early build that might be possible. D4064, unfortunately, was built in 1961 by which time green was the standard. So what we see is the original livery, four years old.

Adam
 
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