A purple Bulleid for the Platinum Jubilee!
RUMOURS have been flying around the Severn Valley Railway and beyond since the announcement in issue 288 of Heritage Railway that a locomotive is to be renamed this year especially for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. An even bigger secret was that it will not just be a renaming – a complete locomotive will be repainted in purple for the celebrations.
In a statement issued on January 31, the SVR announced: “We are especially excited about our special four-day celebration for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from June 2-5, and with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on our doorstep this summer we are looking forward to welcoming a new audience of visitors from across the world. Keep an eye out for further details and announcements soon, for what are guaranteed to be historic and memorable occasions for the railway and all our visitors.”
However, there was still no mention of anything purple!
With Bridgnorth shed being closing for roof replacement and construction works starting in May, there appeared to be no time window for the repainting to take place.
Finally, details emerged that the locomotive chosen is Bullied West Country lighT Pacific No. 34027
Taw Valley, which is no stranger to unconventional liveries. In 2000 it appeared in a fictitious BR maroon livery in anticipation of becoming the Hogwarts Express locomotive to promote JK Rowling’s Harry
Potter books, complete with green nameplates. However, the red Taw Valley was turned down by filmmaker Warner Brothers because the shape of a Bulleid was deemed too modern for the script, and so GWR 4-6-0 No. 5972 Olton Hall was chosen instead.
Logistics then became a problem. Other suitable painting locations on the SVR were looked at, including the carriage shed at Kidderminster, but the problems of paint drying in a damp shed made this difficult.
Transformation
Secret plans were then made that GWR 4-6-0 No. 4930 Hagley Hall could‘probably’be moved out of the Bridgnorth paint shop on February 15 for final fitting out and painting inside the main shed – for a possible steaming date of March 23. A very small window of opportunity to bring Taw Valley into the paintshop for repainting thereby opened.
Usually it takes eight weeks to repaint a locomotive – from rubbing down, preparing, then painting with several coats – but this has to be done while the shed is being cleared.
SVR’s head of engineering, Martin White, gave details of how the transformation into purple will take place: “Taw Valley is booked in for its annual boiler exam in early February and following its steam exam will enter the paintshop at Bridgnorth.
“We expect to have the repaint completed by early April.
“In all fairness, the loco was starting to look a little weather-beaten. With three years still to run on its boiler ticket, a smarten-up was a good idea to avoid further deterioration and enable maximum use of the loco.”
He emphasised: “Taw Valley will be returned to its BR green livery later this year. There will be an opportunity for this in the autumn, when the loco will undergo scheduled maintenance for a significant valve and piston examination.”
Taw Valley’s owners are fully supportive of the temporary name and livery change. Speaking on behalf of his fellow owners, SVR director Phil Swallow said: “We are delighted that Taw Valley is going to play such a prominent role at the SVR in 2022. The rename and repaint will be a very fitting and memorable way to celebrate two extremely important occasions this year.
“Ultimately, this is a hugely fun thing to do and while it might upset some people, it will contribute significantly to our celebration of these important events and will attract many visitors to the SVR.”
SVR chairman Mike Ball said: “This is all about making the biggest impact possible. We are putting a huge amount of effort into our celebrations for both The Queen’s
“We are especially excited about our special four-day celebration for The
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee...”
Platinum Jubilee and the 2022 Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham. We’re sure that the unusual appearance of the loco will prove a huge draw to visitors.”
There is a shortlist in excess of 1000 possible names to be chosen by public vote. The temporary name will be cast onto authentic nameplates fixed to the engine.
Strict rules
Rules relating to the use of the official logo and the term ‘platinum jubilee’ are to be relaxed, encouraging more people to join in. Permission is unnecessary regarding the renaming of boats, parks, buildings, or even steam locomotives.
The Platinum Jubilee emblem was chosen after a national competition for young creatives. The winning design is by Edward Roberts, a 19year old student at the University of Leeds.
There is strict control regarding the logo: no alterations can be made to the size of the lettering or logo itself, apart from enlarging or reducing it is size. The shade of purple must be correct also.
In 1985, GWR 4-4-0 No. 3440 City of Truro was controversially painted on one side as a hoax. It did not go down well within the enthusiast circle; many letters of protest were sent to the Severn Valley Railway and membership cards were even torn up.
The repaint – which officials stress is strictly temporary before normal livery is resumed in the autumn – could gain huge publicity for the railway and the increase in ticket sales could justify this bold move.