Purple Taw Valley: For and against
YES, the colour does not suit the loco one bit; but folk need to ask why the decision was made to paint it in the first place.
Historically, railway companies have sought to make the most out of national celebrations and other events: the classic example has to be the LNER painting a whole train silver to honour the Silver Jubilee of the late King George V, and I am sure just as many heads were turned then as now.
I contend that the very fact that the painting has generated such a furore proves that it has achieved its objective, namely that of bringing the Severn
Valley Railway much publicity. My local paper had a picture of Taw Valley on its front page and that alone is worth many thousands of pounds of free publicity. Couple this with the national TV and press coverage that is being received and I think the point is proved.
I am assured that after the end of this Jubilee Year the loco will be repainted into Brunswick Green having achieved its purpose.
Alan Thwaites
Bridgnorth
I REALLY don’t see the fact that it is not authentic is disrespectful to the memory of the Southern (Railway and Region) or
Oliver Bulleid himself. I am not sure that when the same loco was painted maroon for a film this received much criticism. In truth, although not authentic, I thought it looked fabulous.
In some ways it should be considered an honour for Southern admirers that a Bulleid was chosen. Of all the big loco classes, I believe there are more of them than any other comparable class. There are 20 of the Light Pacifics still in existence.
Despite the fact that more than half of the 110 were rebuilt/modified, exactly half of the 20 are as Bulleid designed them. I think the man would have been delighted by that. I also think he would have been delighted that, despite the modifications to his design, there are also 11 of his similar ‘Merchant Navy’ Pacifics. And, although some say it is awful that a Merchant Navy was sectioned for the NRM, I can’t help feeling he would also have been proud of the fact that one of these magnificent machines with their extraordinary boiler – which could generate so much steam the BR test rig couldn’t actually measure how good it was – was chosen to explain how a steam loco works. And, as a consequence of this, we have two Bulleid Pacifics preserved at national level.
The livery with its non-authentic crest on the tender isn’t going to confuse anyone who sees it. It’s a coat of paint. However, the important thing is that the loco still exists and still smells and sounds as it should.
Pete Cutler Alresford, Hampshire
PURPLE is not a colour I associate with steam locomotives, unless it is of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ ilk.
I can understand the reasoning behind outshopping the loco in purple, as it is indeed a royal colour. Centuries ago, purple cloth was very expensive and it was high on the list for smuggling. It is also a biblical colour. Purple is a colour for mourning, preparation, repentance and maintaining the biblical theme: mockery.
As you put in the caption on page 5, the purple livery makes it stand out. But platinum is silver grey in colour.
Chris Barwise
Preston
IN RESPONSE to the picture of No. 34027 in purple livery, I think it’s ghastly. One of my earliest trainspotting memories is of a spotless rebuilt ‘WC/BB’ on the down ‘Golden Arrow’ at Bickley Junction in 1960 and, as an anti-monarchist, I believe what has been done to Taw Valley is a waste of time, effort and money.
John Russell Totnes
THE ‘Purple Pacific’ is ridiculous and unnecessary. What’s wrong with No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth? I believe she was named after the present queen, though at the Jubilee flotilla in June 2012 the
BBC commentator seemed unaware of this (or of the difference between a train and a locomotive), and the coverage of the many historic boats assembled was abysmal.
Mark Hodgson
London