LMS Route: Water Orton to Walsall

Penns Station: mrp1149

Looking along the down platform from the Walsall end of Penns station with the main building on the left. The station name board on the left is new and carrying British Railway's London Midland Region corporate colour scheme of dark red (maroon) background with white lettering. Examination shows that as standard practice some of the lamp posts are carrying a British Railways totem sign with the station name displayed. The British Railway's colour scheme reflected the most widely used LMS colours, red and cream. The cream was the standard BR shade used on all regions (except the North Eastern), and the red was a dark shade similar to the original LMS colour. Cream was used on planking and canopy valancing, with the red on ironwork, framing, doors etc. as usual. The official specification from 1960 gives the colours as BS 381C 'Gulf Red' and 'Light Biscuit' in which case the red is brighter than the LMS shade. The paints dried very matt, though, which lessened the impact of this attractive livery. Poster boards were treated the same as station signs being red with white lettering, whilst enamelled station signs carried a red which was a darker shade.

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