‘A3’ livery doesn’t affect appeal

One subject that doesn’t go away is liveries! As Steam Railway has highlighted, the superb ‘Lucky Lanky’ 0-6-0 No. 957’s custodians have been subjected to abuse, albeit a long time ago, and GWR ‘City’ 4-4-0 No. 3717 City of Truro being turned out in BR lined black (which it suited) as a spoof generated similar vitriol at the time.

Although Simon Martin mentions draughting on converting unique ‘A3’ 4-6-2 No. 60103 Flying Scotsman into a single chimney No. 4472, his main objective is – you guessed it – livery.

Brunswick green or Apple green? I don’t think the public care, as long as it’s Flying Scotsman. Most casual observers don’t remember BR steam, let alone the colour the locomotives were painted.

They can also be convinced a Peppercorn ‘K1’ 2-6-0 is the ‘Hogwarts Express’ and turn out to see the ‘engine & coach’ movement, having been advised by local media (SR511, Down Main). People would have flocked to the stations if No. 62005 had been painted blue, green, red or tartan. It’s only us poor souls who look to see if the correct shedplate is being carried – or if the livery is ‘correct!’.

So I’d advocate keeping the ‘A3’ as it is – at least until its next major overhaul – when the professionals can decide what’s best, particularly in

engineering requirements. The public will still turn out in droves: besides, the engine looks ‘right’ at the head of a train of carmine and cream or maroon Mk 1s on the main line – just as it did as No. 4472 on Pullman stock over half a century ago.