Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway

I have to admit that the Midland Railway is a favourite probably because of the sheer elegance of S W Johnson's locomotive designs. In my view there is nothing better than a Johnson Single locomotive. Formed from the usual amalgamation of minor railways the Midland became a leading operator in the years before the Grouping of 1923. Even after this date it had a huge influence on the LMS Railway for many years much to the dismay, I suspect, of the LNWR supporters.

Formed in 1847 from the amalgamation of minor railways, this railway served the central part of England in the Yorkshire and Lancashire areas but was always in competition with other railways in the area due to lucrative coal transportation in the rich coal fields. The railway was subsequently amalgamated with the London & North Western Railway shortly before the Grouping of 1923.The locomotives appeared to be quite colourful in the early years being a dark green (almost Brunswick green) This disappeared by 1878

A lovely little railway serving, as the name says, Somerset and Dorset. The line was in the joint lease of the Midland Railway and the London & South Western Railway from 1875. The locomotives were a green shade ( try RGB 22-86-31) which was the same colour as the Midland at the time. When the Midland changed its livery to crimson lake (RGB 93-20-24) the SDJR followed suit . From about 1899 the locomotives were painted in the familiar blue colour (try RGB 20-26-35). The SDJR avoided the Grouping and continued into the 1930's with express locomotives painted blue and goods locomotives painted black. Prior to 1923 the locomotive stock was provided by the Midland which, I think, looked lovely in blue.