Midland Brake Van Interior

[Jon Nazareth]

Can anyone tell me, please, what colour did the Midland paint the interior of their early brake vans?

Jon

[John Candy]

Jon,

Afraid the Essery books (which you may have) make no mention, that I can see, of brake van interiors.

I do believe I have read that the LMS painted brake van interiors a mid-green shade and, since the LMS followed Derby practice in brake van design, it seems a plausible that the colour would be the same (the external colours certainly were).

I shall be painting green my LMS (ex-MR 20T) brake van interior .

Andy B may know a better source to confirm or refute the foregoing.

Regards,
John.

[John Candy]

Since posting previous message I have found following reference.

LMS 1936 paint specification (for brake van interiors) states undercoat to be "middle Brunswick green with a finishing green topcoat".

Don't have any earlier info.

John.

P.S. Yes, I do ......... March 1929 LMS instructions specify mix to be used.

Undercoat : Brunswick Green, dry     30lb Item 15, Contract 55
                  Raw Linseed Oil              15ib Item 3, Contract 149
                  Liquid Driers                   2lb  Special Contract
                  Boiled Linseed Oil            12lb Item 1, Contract 149
                  Carriage Varnish (Inside)   4lb Special Contract

Topcoat : Same as undercoat with addition of 25% carriage varnish.

Source : LMS Wagons Vol 2 Essery/OPC

[Andy B]

Sorry - I can't add any more at present!
I have asked the question on the Midland Railway Society discussion group

Andy

[Jon Nazareth]

Thanks chaps for the info.
Thinking about it, painting the interior Brunswick Green would make it dark, surely?
Mine is an early version and I decided to leave the interior grey as I didn't want to have paint wandering out of the glazing rebates onto the exterior.  Although, I have now fitted the glazing, if a colour is found for the interiors of early vans, I may just have a go.

Jon

[John Candy]

Thinking about it, painting the interior Brunswick Green would make it dark, surely?

Yes!

The photo I have seen of the interior of a Stanier 20T brake van looks extremely gloomy!

Green is supposed to be the most "restful" colour for the eyes, so perhaps that was the reasoning.

GWR brake vans were cream and brown inside, like the coaching stock exteriors.

In reality, you are unlikely (at normal viewing distance) to be able to tell what colour the interior has been painted.

Regards,
John.

[Peaky 556]

In reality, you are unlikely (at normal viewing distance) to be able to tell what colour the interior has been painted.

Regards,
John.

John, I think most of us would agree with that sentiment.  Some of us, however, have a need to 'get it right' for personal satisfaction, and I know that you subscribe to that philosophy!
Tim

[MikeWilliams]

Probably no help at all, but LNWR carriage and wagon departments were separate and different. Carriage guard's had pea green but passenger vans were grained. I think goods vans were cream but not at all sure of that.

As I said, no help at all!

Mike

[Jon Nazareth]

Tim
That is very flattering.  I thought that if I was going to paint the interior it ought at least to be the right colour

Jon

[Jon Nazareth]

Here are some pictures of my version of an early Midland Brake Van based on the Slaters kit.

Jon

[Peaky 556]

Lovely little model Jon, and doesn't it have HUGE wooden brake blocks!  Lots of wear in those! 😁

[Jon Nazareth]

Thanks, Peaky, it could do with weathering but I'm never brave enough to do that to one of my wagons especially after painting.

This picture shows part of the drawing that I was following showing those brake blocks

Jon