Locomotive and Coach Liveries (Part 3)

Friday 20th February.  An unfortunate double-booking problem meant that the Scots Guard Club asked us to move our February branch meeting one day earlier.  We did manage to get this change into the February RO at the last minute, and it was posted on the branch website, but inevitably the notice was too close for some members to switch their diaries and we apologise for any disappointment caused.

Those attendees able to make the amended meeting date were provided with a very informative presentation by Branch member Stuart Malcolm.

Starting with the newly revised CrossCountry livery, the Balfour Beatty “Drain Train” appeared.  Next, four locomotives, each bearing different liveries – Blue, Large Logo, Swietelsky and Police, taking Inverness-based snow-ploughs to Eastleigh for repair.  Other liveries included WCR, LSL, Colas and ROG 37608 Andromeda.  37611 was viewed at Eastfield.  Freightliner 60th Anniversary adorned 66501 and 66601, whilst a Freightliner Cl.70 without logos also featured.  Examples of the Class 68s bearing their individual liveries were seen as was 66748 in Britannic Explorer livery plus a de-branded 90018.

Passenger stock included Mk3s in Chiltern livery, exported HSTs in Mexico and Nigeria, Rail 200 ‘Inspiration’ train coaches and Azumas in ‘Darlington’ & ‘Bradford City of Culture’ liveries. The Lumo ‘Smurfs’ set featured, as well as 66719 in pre-Rail 200 livery as well as in Rail 200 colours. A ROG Cl.93 plus GBRF’s 99001 were seen at a recent Polmadie Open Day, whilst a Cl.158 was in service on the recently reopened Northumberland Line.  Finally, A3 Flying Scotsman appeared in white undercoat.

This was a most informative presentation, capturing the continuing evolution of locomotive and coaching stock liveries in the UK.