British Rail Driver / Fireman uniforms, 1950's

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous & Oddities' started by DordonWagonWorks, Mar 24, 2016.

  1. DordonWagonWorks

    DordonWagonWorks Full Member

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    I'm crewing up some of my 1950's 'kettles'. Are the pale blue overalls with black jackets and red kerchiefs for drivers (as seen in most off the shelf crews) entirely accurate for the period, or was there more variation? Were freight guards similarly attired or did they wear the darker uniform of station staff?
    Looking to the later period, station staff changed their uniforms in 1966, did this effect train crew as well?
     
  2. 60019Bittern

    60019Bittern Full Member

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    Guards I feel sure wore the normal Uniforms as per Station Staff. Drivers and firemen normally wore the black jacket and overalls, some bib and brace and some separate jacket and trousers. Neckerchief colour (if worn) was pretty much to the users choice. Both loco crews normally wore a cap of some sort, normally one with a semi-waterproof top. Some didn't bother with the cap.
     
  3. Echidna

    Echidna Full Member

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    Hello Dordon, Bittern and others,

    From photos in Colin Walker's books which tend to be 1950s 1960s the older drivers generally wear a tie whilst the younger fireman are open necked.

    As an aside I would have thought the wearing of red would not be allowed ( definately the case on Australian railways ) .

    Driving steam may be fun for the rail fan but it was hot, dirty work for the loco crew so the post 1966 loco crew uniform was really intended for diesel and electric service.

    Pre 1966 loco crew who were allocated to diesel and electric only rosters would probably be issued with a motorman uniform similar to BR SR emu crews.

    The exception to this was the Blue Pullman crews who had a special uniform for that service.

    The post 1966 BR Modern Image uniforms originated out of a Design Centre brief and looked very Germanic but I thought they had an Italian Airline sensibility to them and did project a new modern image for BR. As the design lasted for around thirty years I presume it must have worn well so by that measure at least it was also successful.

    Regards, Echidna
     
  4. Echidna

    Echidna Full Member

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    Hello Dordon, Bittern and others,

    From photos in Colin Walker's books which tend to be 1950s 1960s the older drivers generally wear a tie whilst the younger fireman are open necked.

    As an aside I would have thought the wearing of red would not be allowed ( definately the case on Australian railways ) .

    Driving steam may be fun for the rail fan but it was hot, dirty work for the loco crew so the post 1966 loco crew uniform was really intended for diesel and electric service.

    Pre 1966 loco crew who were allocated to diesel and electric only rosters would probably be issued with a motorman uniform similar to BR SR emu crews.

    The exception to this was the Blue Pullman crews who had a special uniform for that service.

    The post 1966 BR Modern Image uniforms originated out of a Design Centre brief and looked very Germanic but I thought they had an Italian Airline sensibility to them and did project a new modern image for BR. As the design lasted for around thirty years I presume it must have worn well so by that measure at least it was also successful.

    Regards, Echidna
     

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