Galatea/Alberta

I don't think the argument is that they can't look smart. But it wasn't a true representation of the locomotive's humble, but nevertheless important life as a shunter and similar duties.

 

To be honest I think we should just be thankful Mr Smith hasn't seen a pic of 41101 and thought 'Hmmm that Andy Capp livery looks nice, I know how much that'll wind up those buggers on Nat Pres! I better ring up Williamsons and ask for a job lot of red and yellow paint'

 

Indeed. Or a fetching shade of <ahem> 'Royal Scot' pink, with yellow polka dots...

 

Time for another Solvite loco perhaps?

 

I want it in Brunswick Green 2

 

I thought about that too...

 

Ignoring the paint froth for a moment, I was under the impression that in a thread not long ago there were those saying that Galatea isn't actually a particularly good example of a Jubilee - or did I imagine that?

 

Sadly I imagine the extra money that would need to be spent to reach this position would vastly outweigh that earned.

As for livery as Galatea/SG et al are not really preserved but instead part of the operational stock of a commercial TOC I look forward to seeing them in WCRC maroon.

 

With you on this Night owl, I could understand if a large rolling stock/ loco owning company did create their own Livery and Logo.
And If this Livery and logo looked from anything other than close up like a BR or grouping Livery than that would be a plus .
But as long as it looked good then I think a certain forbearance on the part of enthusiasts should be exercised for the privilege of keeping Steam on the mainline...
Now good looking is subjective but wishy washy pinky matt maroon doesn't seem to find much favour from anyone, cant imagine that Joe Punter is impressed by it .

 

Edit: Accidentally clicked Post before writing my bit.
Not entirely true. Look at the railtour promoters' brochures. How much do they say about the journey and how much about the destination?

 

Well, yes, you have to give the punters something to do while the loco is being serviced, turned, runs around, etc. The point is, they are going on the journey, the destination isn't that important. Would they be making that journey except for the steam engine on the front?

 

and even Matt black with soot and grungy and brown below the running board a Steam engine is still an incredible presence. But nice paint and polished metal more befits a special occasion ?

 

I don't think that outside the die-hard enthusiasts it is correct to say the destination isn't that important. Most trips go to somewhere that will appeal to the non-enthusiast.

 

I for one have very much enjoyed Galatea in BR red. I think it looks fine in photos and impressive up close.
I also think Jubes look good in green, and look forward to seeing Galatea or Leander or eventually Bahamas in that livery.
Remind me what the spice of life is again? Authenticity...?

 

I'm not really fussed about the authenticity, I'm not a big fan of Leander in black but at least the paint job is done well. Galatea's paint job looks rubbish! I think the Carnforth guys done a fantastic job of getting it to such a good working order but she should be celebrated with a fine lick of paint...looks terrible at the moment

 

The nearest you could get is

i think it was six coats for a passenger engine, there was a time around 1910 when there was a shortage of freight engines and to speed up the overhaul process freight locos were turned out in vanished brown undercoat. I have seen this described as Midland freight brown, it wasn't but does show how history can be distorted

 

It's probably the mind set of the owner I can't understand, if there are two ways of doing it right or wrong why deliberately do it wrong? Probably through cussedness,"look it's my engine so I'm doing it because I can" The argument about phone chargers and TWPS doesn't hold up none of this has any visual impact

 

Like the extra battery boxes, hoses etc that have been bolted on? And the modern day hazard flash stickers! I've spent ages painstakingly reproducing a 'modern' version of 34046 and 45699 for my layout and trust me there are more visual differences than you think.

I guess I must be a contradiction because I don't mind a few non authentic loco liveries out and about but I will go to great lengths to make them look just right on my layout?!?

I don't think the owner sees it as right or wrong, more likely 'I think a jubilee would have looked nice in....' or 'this thing has cost me a fortune to re-manufacture let's use the left over maroon paint we have and save a few quid before its first intermediate overhaul' (let's not say restore because I would imagine not a great deal of the original 45699 still exists)

 

A livery that is fictitious for a particular locomotive but authentic in other respects is OK. For example it would be great to see a rebuilt Scot in the BR(M) maroon, done properly or one of the original light Pacific's in BR blue in the style the MN carried.
It's not the principle but the execution really. Galatea could have looked so much better if it had been a genuine attempt. That said its probably more appealing to 'ordinary' travellers than any other current main line loco.

 

This is something that intrigues me! I am also on RMweb and I have noticed this before: modellers go to great lengths to research their subject to get every detail one hundred percent correct, yet some of those who 'model' in twelve inches to the footscale, 4' 8.5"gauge live steam work on the basis that anything goes!

There are non-original requirements and additions to allow a steam loco to function as a working item rather than a static museum exhibit. Yes, there can be a lot of them, I can tell you every one on 2968, but with few exceptions they are relatively small and easilly ignored. A coat of the wrong paint does tend to scream out, though.