True to our roots
Who cares anymore? Okay, let’s be more specific. Who is genuinely bothered when yet another locomotive rolls out in an historically inauthentic livery? British India Line is the latest. Plain, shiny goods engine black, with TOPS numerals on the cabsides, was the sight that met the traditional gaggle of linesiders who’d ventured out onto the Carnforth test circuit in May. The unveiling followed its restoration from Barry scrapyard condition, which commenced at its first preservation home the Mid-Hants Railway. When the former Southern Railway ‘Merchant Navy’ last ran in 1964, it carried BR lined green, just as its 29 rebuilt classmates did. There was a time when many enthusiasts’ blood would have superheated at the sight of 10A’s newest release. But now we seem to have become so immune to such impishness that temperatures were noticeably tepid. David Smith’s sense of humour even extended to the application of Bodmin nameplates to the running plates of No. 35018. Again, instead of vitriol there has been plenty of reaction on social media that displays a broad mixture of mild amusement and indifference (see p106). But no gnashing of teeth. No rotten eggs being thrown Carnforth’s way. Yet enthusiasts were, until recently, especially agitated by the choice of livery on Flying Scotsman - to use an obvious example. In its current ‘A3’ condition, with double chimney and German smoke deflectors, the NRM made the decision to turn it out in its final BR livery. It finished off the Sixties look by making small (but welcome) tweaks to the front end, to make it even more appropriate to the immediate pre-Pegler era. Any suggestion that making the engine more ‘authentic’ than it has been at any point in the last five decades would make the Gresley ‘Pacific’ any less popular has been emphatically dismissed by the dizzying hype that has surrounded the engine since February last year. The impassioned LNER vs BR debate that surrounded ‘Scotsman’ has quietened as people have seemingly embraced the realism, greater authenticity and believability of this Peter Townend ‘Top Shed’-era ‘Pacific’. It may seem contradictory, therefore, not to bat an eyelid when another 4-6-2 ventures onto the main line in anything but authentic condition. This is where it is important to differentiate between the roles of museums and private ownership.
A private owner can do as he pleases with his property, but a national institution like the NRM has more fundamental obligations. Indeed, for anyone who might be vexed by the new look of No. 35018, such passions can be offset by ‘P&O’ still carrying passenger green at the ‘GlosWarks’, as will main line favourite Clan Line when it resumes its charter work this summer. But while apathy towards relatively inconsequential livery schemes - like a black, red or blue Bulleid ‘Pacific’ - may be no bad thing in isolation, surely we should avoid widespread disinterest when it comes to doing it right… Yes, that doesn’t have to apply for private owners. That is a given. However, there is arguably a deeper responsibility for preserved railways and museums to present a truthful picture of Britain’s steam-era railways. Exceptions can and, perhaps, should be made: ‘Bluebell blue’ on ‘P’ No. 323 tells the important story of our first preserved standard gauge passenger line, while ‘J72’ No. 69023 in its station pilot apple green tells another piece of history that wouldn’t be quite as enticing in plain black. But ‘paint it any colour you like’ should not necessarily become a precedent for future generations of preservationists to copy. Steam is a wonderful, enjoyable, engrossing hobby and it holds fascination for us all, but we should not lose sight of preservation’s educational responsibility to demonstrate how things actually were. Having fun and being true to our roots need not be mutually exclusive.