MRE2

Thanks even more guys. I think that just about clears up the W1 identities. I am now waiting to see if Hornby expand on their W1 before I start any conversions........ Thankfully the P2 query seems a lot simpler - with A4 styling they only had LNER Apple Green and Wartime Black. Unless anyone knows differently..........

To micklner, I am not familiar with Yeadon, but will look it up. In the meantime I have found these snaps of the W1 in both Wratime Black and BR Express Blue, proving that the LNER Encyclopedia is correct - see the captioned pictures that show BR Blue with the white/black/white lining (I assume, although just white is mentioned by the Encyclopedia) and early BR crest.

I am interested in some variations of the W1 and P2 locos. The W1 in its rebuilt (A4 streamlined style) form was painted in Wartime Black and also BR Express Blue according to the LNER Encyclopedia : "After rebuilding, No. 10000 was painted in the standard A4 garter blue livery. The wartime black 'NE' livery was applied in April 1942, but reverted back to garter blue in December 1946. British Railways applied a white lined darker blue livery in January 1951, and the standard BR green with orange and black lining livery in May 1952." The P2s (also in A4 streamlined style) were also painted in Wartime Black also according to the LNER Encyclopedia : "The P2s were repainted black with no lining beginning with 2006 at a Doncaster General in November 1941. The others followed at General overhauls at Doncaster. LNER was shortened to NE only from July 1942." I would like to model these variations but cannot find any pictures of either locos in Wartime Black, or the W1 in Express Blue. Any help with finding some research pictures please ?

Thanks Jason. I had sort-of assumed that Prince of Wales would appear in grey, but I was hoping one of the original 6 locos would also have a photographic record somewhere - unusual for a new loco or type not to be recorded or promoted in this way. So, just 3 possible livery variations of LNER Apple Green, Wartime Black, and grey photo/primer of some sort - unless anyone knows better ?

Thanks guys. It seems that LNER Apple Green and Wartime Black are the only options. I am sure there must be a Photographic Grey picture of a new locomotive somewhere, but so far nothing has been unearthed. I can understand that Garter Blue and post-war BR blue/purple or green would be too late as the streamlined P2s would have been rebuilt by Thompson by this time. Which does beg the question, where are Hornby going with this model as only 2 liveries and 6 locos appear to be their options. Once again, many thanks for all your help and input.

What are the authentic liveries on the streamlined P2s ? They all ran in LNER apple green, and at least some ran in Wartime Black with NE on the tender, although I can't find any information if they all did or which ones did. I assume there would have been a workshop photographic grey picture but I can't find one. Other possible options would seem to be Garter Blue or post-war blue or green, but these seem unlikely and no pictures or information suggests either existed. I am curious to know where Hornby may be going with their (not yet released) streamlined P2 as it is unlikely they would only use that tooling once. Any ideas or information, as I am keen to have some variations if possible.

I have been looking for a decent OO resin kit for a streamlined B17/5. I can only find 2 possible sources - Dean Sidings and GoldenArrow. I can't find any direct contact for Dean Sidings - can anyone help please ? I have tried calling GoldenArrow but so far have only got an answerphone. I am hoping at least one of these sources is still in production - unless anyone knows better. Are any other options available ?

Thank you everyone. Must admit I'm a bit disappointed that D5578 never ran as per the design and Triang model, and similar to D5579. I was hoping to make up a matching pair. I guess that blue with a small yellow panel is somewhat unusual in itself though.

Class 31 C5578 was one of 2 locos painted into prototype colours, following a proposal by Brian Haresnape. We know that D5579 ran in ochre with white lining, but did D5578 ever run according to Brian's proposal with white lining, shown below (with graphic artists numbers) with the model produced by Triang ? Plenty of pictures show D5578 in plain blue (with and without small yellow panels) but none that follow the proposal drawings. Or maybe Triang pulled a stunt and I have just been unlucky in my research ? I have seen the colour described variously as Electric Blue, Chromatic Blue, French Blue, Nanking Blue, and XP64 Blue, and period pictures are variable from quite dark to very light. Any ideas which is the correct shade ?

Thanks Allegheny1600. I had a call from them, all in hand now.

EDIT - SINCE MAKING THIS POST I RECEIVED A CALL FROM PICTURE PRIDE DISPLAYS, ALL IN HAND NOW Anyone know what is going on with Picture Pride Displays ? Last October I gave them a £100 deposit for a new cabinet to match the ones I already have - nothing special, just from their standard range. To be fair they told me it would probably be around Xmas for delivery. But, since then I have heard nothing. I have tried calling them many times, left a message with my name, phone number, order number, and asked for an update. I have not had the courtesy of a response and I am now getting annoyed. Does anyone have any information, advice, or another way to contact them ? I can't risk a drive over 100 miles each way on the off-chance, I need to speak to them or communicate by email.