British Steam Locomotives from long ago
© Don Marshall 2010
ELEGANT STEAM
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This site illustrates the liveries of British steam locomotives and rolling stock and is aimed primarily at the modeller or those who just like looking at beautiful and elegant machinery. I had the good fortune to see steam locomotives in ordinary everyday use, mainly LNER and LMS.
The liveries used by the Pre Grouping Companies, ie, before 1923, (well before my time !! ) were very colourful indeed, both out of pride in their Company and with more than a sidelong glance at the value of publicity.
The liveries used by the Pre Grouping Companies, ie, before 1923, (well before my time !! ) were very colourful indeed, both out of pride in their Company and with more than a sidelong glance at the value of publicity.
Over 150 railway companies were amalgamated into the Big Four, ie, LNER, LMS, GWR, SR, with over 50 others remaining independent or jointly owned so the range of colours to be found was almost legion. Yes, even lilac !!
To read a written description of a colour is not the same as seeing a picture, whether it is a colour photo, a painting or an illustration. To interpret a written description can be a difficult exercise and one needs all the help that can be found. To decipher exactly what is meant by "blackberry black" or "bilious green" can be tricky !! The diligent people who have spent, in some cases, years poring over obscure documents in public archives, libraries or private collections are to be congratulated and I thank them all.
It is better not to be too dogmatic when writing about railway colours in public as the railway enthusiast world is awash with those who will disagree, often with scanty evidence. Even the best of experts can get things wrong and, believe me, I do not come into that category (thank goodness!! ). Get hold of photographs, plenty of them, and there are many on the Internet, but , until the Thirties, they will, of course, be in black and white.
Decide what you want to do before you get out the airbrush and the lining pen and then go for it. If my illustrations can help in any way I shall be very pleased.
Always remember the old saying - "Whose Railway is it, anyway ? "
In the meantime I shall carry on doing what I enjoy doing. Enjoy the site.
To read a written description of a colour is not the same as seeing a picture, whether it is a colour photo, a painting or an illustration. To interpret a written description can be a difficult exercise and one needs all the help that can be found. To decipher exactly what is meant by "blackberry black" or "bilious green" can be tricky !! The diligent people who have spent, in some cases, years poring over obscure documents in public archives, libraries or private collections are to be congratulated and I thank them all.
It is better not to be too dogmatic when writing about railway colours in public as the railway enthusiast world is awash with those who will disagree, often with scanty evidence. Even the best of experts can get things wrong and, believe me, I do not come into that category (thank goodness!! ). Get hold of photographs, plenty of them, and there are many on the Internet, but , until the Thirties, they will, of course, be in black and white.
Decide what you want to do before you get out the airbrush and the lining pen and then go for it. If my illustrations can help in any way I shall be very pleased.
Always remember the old saying - "Whose Railway is it, anyway ? "
In the meantime I shall carry on doing what I enjoy doing. Enjoy the site.