KNOW YOUR… LIVERIES
PART 7: Early Modern Traction
Paul Chancellor looks back at the early days of non-steam-powered traction on British Railways.
Inspired by the livery applied by the LMS to No. 10000, just days before nationalisation, BR’s subsequent paint scheme for No. 10001 and Nos. 10201-3 was simple: an all-over black body relieved by a silver bodyside stripe. The underframe was also silver/grey, as were the large cast numbers and roof panels. The early style of BR ‘Lion & Wheel’ crests were carried, as seen on No. 10203 at Eastleigh in 1954.
T. OWEN/COLOUR RAIL
If Modern Traction is defined as any self-propelled locomotive or unit not powered by steam, then we have a long period of history to consider. However, for the purposes of this article, we are looking at the period from 1948 through to locomotives carrying the early style of British Railways ‘cycling lion’ emblem. We can split these into three categories: shunting locomotives of both BR and pre-nationalisation designs, the electric locomotives working the trans-Pennine freight and passenger services and the experimental locomotive types built to designs dating back to the ‘Big Four’ railway companies.