Don Townsley

Re livery of Haifa Locomotives. I have just found a note that whilst the top of the tanks looked black, in line with Hunslet standard practice, the Haifa locomotives' tank tops were actually uniquely dark grey. This information comes from the paint shop instructions which also give the inside of the cab to be light buff, black and white but does not state where each colour was to be applied. Assume the painters knew to paint black up to waist height, buff above waist and white on underside (and perhaps top) of roof to reflect heat from the sun. The inside of the frames, and the inside valve gear etc. were vermillion. There was a black edging with white separating line to the vermillion buffer beam.

Thanks Chen. Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for the photos. I have the first one of No 1 but not the others. Livery of i/c locos Nos 1 and 2 was Battleship Grey with broad black lining edged with a thin blue line each side. As in all new Hunslet saddle tank locomotive the top of the tank was black starting from roughly 6" above the handrails or the width of the angle iron securing tank to cab front. The thin blue line did not stand out against the battleship grey and was replaced on all future Haifa locomotives with golden yellow lines. a single yellow line embellished the frames and wheel centres. Smokebox heat resistant black buffer beams red with yellow line. Frames and footplates conventional black but some could possibly been dark grey.

Short answer 'yes' I have and it is big. I am afraid you will have to wait for my next three books, too big for one, which at present rate of progress might have to be published postumousley

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