I spent most of my childhood hanging around Exeter st Davids
late 70's to mid 80's so i remeber the Blue period very well and Exeter has trains from London from both directions
classes 08
25
31
33
37
40
45
46
47
50
were regulary seen
Also Hastings units on the Brighton
I didn't find Br Blue boring at all
most of the stock on my Layout Exford
is Blue some Large logo and Railfreight and NSE
As i'm 42 to young to remember steam power working in the southwest