70000 Brittania - why no name plates?

[RichB]

Saw 70000 Brittania outside Southall sheds yesterday and noticed she has no name plates. I've been searching the web to find out why but no luck, anyone know the reason?

[StripeyNick]

I think they are running it in an as built condition for a while. It's the only way they can have any variation to the standard livery.

[RichB]

OK I see, not a good look though is it... Brittania should be fully lined out in Brunswick Green.

[Red Firecracker]

StripeyNick said:

I think they are running it in an as built condition for a while. It's the only way they can have any variation to the standard livery.

Yep, for three weeks in 1951 it carried the current livery, prior to the original naming ceremony.

[RichB]

While looking on the interweb I came across this picture. I'm sure we've all seen them, the grubby, grimy steam loco in the last days of steam but in hindsight it's astonishing how dirty British Railways locomen were prepared to allow their engines to be turned out. This was in 1964, 13 year old, and Britannia is absolutely filthy. Can you imagine a row of HSTs (Class 43) lined up at Paddington caked in filth - it just wouldn't happen. Makes me wonder about the dedication of the wonderful British railwaymen in the 50s & 60s.

[Fat Albert]

My Favourite Loco, rode on the footplate of Oliver Cromwell in the late '70s at Bressingham and remember Brit being at Nene Valley Railway in the '90s
Had a lovely surprise at Kings Cross last year when Oli Cromwell was sat there ready to pull a special