'Quicksilver' Harringay, 1930s

Comment by StephenBln on April 24, 2010 at 21:42

Hugh this shot is pre-war.. most probably taken in 1935 when the Silver jubilee was new at 'Top Shed' (Kings Cross Engine Shed). But certainly pre-1941.

The engine is still in it's light blue livery and has it's LNER owner's name (until 1948) on the side. These engines received austerity (dark) liveries during the war and by the 50s had standard BR livery.

ALSO, the streamline cladding over the wheels was removed during the war to save time on maintainance & repairs. I rest my case :o)

Comment by Hugh on April 24, 2010 at 22:14

Thanks Stephen. Title duly amended.

Comment by Gerry Newton on November 19, 2010 at 13:07

The locomotive in the shot is either Silverlink or Quicksilver. Both were introduced by the LNER in the September of 1935. They were part of the first four A4 locomotives built and all included the word "silver" in their names. They were introduced on the Silver Jubille service between King's Cross and Newcastle and reduced this journey to around four hours.
The colour scheme of these locomotives when first introduced was Charcoal, dark grey and light grey. Later examples of the A4 class appeared in LNER apple green, garter blue and wartime black by the LNER.

Comment by Stephen Holliday on January 13, 2015 at 7:31

The locomotive is certainly "Quicksilver". This photograph appears elsewhere and the number 2510 is clear. In any case there were some small detail differences in the streamline casing of 2509 "Silver Link" and the rest of the class due to the design only being finalised as 2509 was being built. The design of the sloping front was modelled on a French petrol railcar designed by Bugatti and the aerofoil shape over the wheels was inspired by a drawing of the R-101 airship!
This train must have caused quite a shock at for people at Harringay accustomed to apple green locomotives and varnished teak carriages. It ran between 1935 and 1939.
"Quicksilver" was finished on 21st September 1935 and had the short front buffers and the recessed front drawhook shown in the photograph. The smaller clearance these gave was the cause of a fatal accident when "buffering up" and, on a visit to Doncaster works starting on 20th June,1936, longer buffers were fitted and the drawhook moved forward. At the same time the number (2510) was added to the front just above the buffers so the photograph must have been taken before then.
There was a spectacular demonstration run of the train for the press on 27th September, 1935 with "Silver Link" -Newsreel
None of the four "Silver" Locomotives survived the end of steam. There are several versions of a story that Billy Butlin wanted to buy "Silver Link" to display at one of his holiday camps but unfortunately it did not happen.

Comment by Hugh on January 13, 2015 at 7:45

Thanks Stephen title amended (again!).

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