South East and Chatham 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

The South East & Chatham Railway was formed on 1 January 1899, when the South Eastern Railway and the London Chatham & Dover Railway formed a "managing committee" comprising the directors of both companies. This effectively merged the two companies, although officially they remained separate. This followed many years of rivalry between the two Companies, sometimes bitter. This rivalry resulted in financial problems and shabby poorly maintained locomotives and rolling stock until, in 1899, the companies finally set aside their differences. The Company operated mainly in Kent.

The management committee wanted to raise the profile of the new company and came up with one of the more striking liveries in an age when such liveries were the norm rather than the exception. I am basing the livery of the stock on E F Carter's descriptions.