Southern Paint

The information on this page comes from The Southern Railways Group and we are grateful to them for permission to use it. The image scans are from photo-copies, which hasn't resulted in the best reproduction, but are hopefully enough to illustrate the painting instructions far better than just words can do.

SR number BS (and undercoat)

º1 Light Stone BS381C shade 386 Champagne (BS381C shade 352 Pale Cream)
º1a Dark Stone BS381C shade 358 Light Buff (BS381C shade 361 Light Stone)
º2 White
º3 Dark Green BS381C shade 276 Lincoln Green (BS381C shade 282 Forest Green)
º3a Mid-Chrome Green BS381C shade 221 Brilliant Green (BSNº3A Mid-Chrome Green)
º4 Light Green BS381C shade 217 Sea Green (BS381C shade 216 Eau-de-nil)
º5 Not allocated
º6 Black
º7 Pale Green BS381C shade 275 Opaline Green (BS381C shade 216 Eau-de-nil)
º8 Grey BS381C shade 652 Dark Admiralty Grey (BS381C shade 693 Aircraft Grey)
º9 Red BS381C shade 538 Post Office Red (BS381C shade 443 Salmon Pink)
º10 Deep Cream BS381C shade 352 Pale Cream (BS381C shade 384 Light Straw)

BR(S) STRUCTURES
Tints and Notes

The approved tints are as under:

º1	Stone	º5	Purple Brown
º1a	Dark Stone	º6	Black
º2	White	º7	Pale Chrome Green
º3	Dark Green	º8	Grey
º3a	Chrome Green	º9	Vermilion (Red)
º4	Light Green	º10	Deep Cream

NOTES
All Finishes should only be used with primary coats and undercoats as specified by the makers.
Metalwork should in all cases have three coats of paint; generally speaking the first coat should be red oxide and the other two coats of approved tints except in cases where graphite paint is used or tarring is done. In particular:-
Steelwork should be free from mill scale, rust and grease before applying the priming coat which should be applied immediately after cleaning down.
Galvanised Iron, Galvanised Steel and Zinc Should be left to weather for a few months before painting. If this is not possible should be first cleaned down with wire wool.
Lead The surface should be roughened and a thin coat of elastic varnish applied before applying the undercoat.
Aluminium Oil bound aluminium primer (zinc chromate) should be applied first, paint havinf a lead base should NOT be used.
Radiators, Heating Pipes etc. Oil bound paints should be used metallic paimts should NOT be used.
Timberwork The number of coats of paint to be given to existing timber work should be decided by the Divisional Engineer.
New Timberwork Three coats at least should be given over and above priming. All knots should receive two coats of knotting first. Loose knots should be cut out and the space plugged with round woods.
Creosote or Bituminous Paint Should not be overpainted until it has received one or two coats of white knorring.
Concrete, Brickwork, Lime, Putty, Cement, Plaster etc. Surfaces should be clean and dry and one coat of approved primer should be applied and left to dry before applying finishing coats of paint or distemper. Many useful hints may be obtained from Ministry of Works Advisory LeafletNº1 (1949) "Painting new Plaster and Cement" or from Building Research Station BulletinNº2 price one shilling and twopence, post free, from HM Stationery Office.
Walls for Distemper Grease stains should be given two coats of white knotting and one coat of flat white paint before applying distemper, Walls which have been previously distempered with light green distemper such as the upper parts of the walls of Gentlemens Lavatories, etc., which have been tiled under modernisation requirements, may be distempered with an approved cream wash in lieu of the existing light green distemper.
Tarring Two coats of Tar Compound should be given in all cases of the approved mixture in the approved manner.
Graining No further graining work is to be undertaken, but where existing internal work is grained and varnished it may, if in good condition, be cleaned down and revarnished.

All surfaces should be clean and dry before paint is applied.

Painting: Extent and Co-ordination of Work
WHENEVER A STATION OR DEPOT IS TO BE REPAINTED IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS WHICH MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY STRUCTURES OR FITTINGS THERIN WHICH NEED TO BE PAINTED BE NOTIFIED IN ORDER THAT THE WHOLE OF THE PAINTWORK WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE STATION OR DEPOT MAY BE UNDERTAKEN AT THE SAME TIME.

It will normally be the responsibility of the Divisional Engineer in puruance of the Renovations Programme to co-ordinate the work and effect liaisons bewteen all concerned.
Thus, in order to reduce costs and promote efficiency, the Chief Civil Engineer may, when carrying out such renovations, undertake either by contract or departmentally painting work for other Departments at the request of the Department concerned.
The principal items of responsibility of all other Departments are generally as follows:
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
     Repair Depots & Works, Control Rooms, Electrical Sub-Stations & T.P. Huts.
CARRIAGE AND WAGON ENGINEER
     Repair Depots & Works
ESTATE AND RATING SURVEYOR
     Messrs. Smiths & Sons Bookstalls
     G.P.O. Public Telephone Cabinets, Post Boxes, etc.
     British Automatic Coy. Automatic Slot Machines
     Buildings subject to rental agreement (Except Traders Stores) where such buildings are not part of Station buildings:
     Interiors of all rented properties.
SIGNAL AND TELECOMUNICATIONS ENGR. All mechanical signalling items
STORES SUPERINTENDENT: Messrs Pooley's Weighing Machines.

"Station Limits" may be defined as the area between the most distant signals coming under control of the station, but where strict interpretation of this would result in the exclusion of items which should obviously be included, discretion should be used.

All painting shall be finished in accordance with the standard colours as given by the Colour Chart on Information SheetNºBR(S)/E/1/2

BR(S)/E/2/1 Painting: Stations: Platform Roofing Exterior of Valence: StoneNº1a Mouldings on valence: GreenNº3a Interior of Valence, Underside of roof boarding, Underside of Glazing bars: StoneNº1 Top side of glazing bars: StoneNº1a Platform Roofing Steel work, Principals, Purlins, brackets etc.: GreenNº4 R.W.Ps and gutters: GreenNº3a Windows: Frames GreenNº3a, Sashes: WhiteNº2 Steel columns up to underside of longitudinal girders: GreenNº3a Wood columns up to underside of crossbeams and bracketsL GreenNº3a Litter baskets: GreenNº3a if not in aluminium paint Bin: GreenNº3a unless galvanised Concrete: self colour Asbestos sheeting: self colour Timber cross beams, Purlins and Rafters: StoneNº1 Timber walls: StoneNº1 Corrugated Iron - underside: StoneNº1, topside: GreyNº8 Exterior door frames and skirting: GreenNº3a Galvanised items litter baskets, bins etc.: self colour Gutters - exterior: GreenNº3a, interior: greyNº8

BR(S)/E/2/2 Painting: Stations: Platform Roofing continued Doors and windows in Hardwood oiled and wax polished as above if previously painted: Green no.3a with White no.2 sashes Columns (cast) to capping: GreenNº3a. Ornamental cast brackets: GreenNº4 Woodwork underside of canopy: StoneNº1 Pipes and switch boxes: GreenNº3a

BR(S)/E/2/3 Painting: Stations: Waiting room interiors Walls up to 4ft from floor: GreenNº3a followed by 2 inch band: CreamNº10 Followed by 1½ inch band: GreenNº3a remainder of wall above: CreamNº10 Radiators and pipes: GreenNº3a Note the 1½ inch band omitted after 1957 Ceilings: If no picture rail and a coving exists: CreamNº10 If picture rail exists: GreenNº3a with WhiteNº2 ceiling above. Pictures or map frames: GreenNº3

BR(S)/E/2/4 Painting: Stations: Exterior of platform buildings Metal railings in platform areas: Green 3a Wooden Railings in platform areas: StoneNº1a Clocks - if painted: GreenNº3a, if unpainted hardwood to be oiled and polished or re-varnished as necessary. Timber or plaster walls in booking halls: lower 3ft 6in: GreenNº3a, 2 inch band: CreamNº10, 1½in band: GreenNº3a, remainder above: CreamNº10 Poster and notice frames: GreenNº3 Ceilings if not already cream to be WhiteNº2 Doors and windows: GreenNº3a with WhiteNº2 sashes

BR(S)/E/2/6 Painting: Stations: Public Lavatories Ceilings and cornices if not in CreamNº10 to be White water paint or Mill White paint Underside of glazing bars: WhiteNº2 Cisterns, if painted: GreenNº3a Doors and door frames, if painted, to be GreenNº3a Pipes and pipe casings: GreenNº3a Metalwork over WCs: GreenNº3a Screen: CreamNº10 Screen capping and posts: GreenNº3 Ladies mirror frame, if painted: GreenNº3a Ladies shelf, if painted: GreenNº3a

BR(S)/E/2/7 Painting: Station exteriors Metal Windows: WhiteNº2 Timber Windows: Frames GreenNº3a, Sashes WhiteNº2 Flag Poles: WhiteNº2 Flag Pole supports, if painted: GreenNº3a Handrails, Fire escapes and etc.: GreenNº3a Doors, if painted: GreenNº3a, if unpainted hardwood to be re-oiled or varnished Door frame: GreenNº3a Timber Boarding to walls: StoneNº1a Timber skirting: GreenNº3a RWPs and Gutters: GreenNº3a Poster and Notice Boards: GreenNº3 Metal Lamp fittings: GreenNº3a Handrails and fire escapes: GreenNº3a

BR(S)/E/3/3 Painting: Signals S&T to be responsible for painting signal arms (wooden) not the Civil Engineer's dept. Enamelled signal boards not to be painted. CLS Display Shields: Matt Black Backs of CLS Display Shields: GreyNº8 CLS metal posts: GreyNº8 Ground Signal casing: GreyNº8 Route Indicator casing: GreyNº8 Route Indicator inside head: Matt Black Gantry steelwork and decking: GreyNº8 Ladders and Handrails: GreyNº8 Bottom six feet of post: Black, rest WhiteNº2. Spectacle Plates, Brackets and other iron work: GreyNº8 Lamp Cases: BlackNº6 Dolls on semaphore gantry signals: Whiteº2 Battery and test boxes etc. on gantries: GreyNº8 Limit of Shunt posts: GreyNº8 NOTE Concrete Signal Posts are not painted

BR(S)/E/4/1 Painting: Signal Boxes etc. Signalbox Name Letters standing out: GreenNº3a Concrete Signalbox Name background: White "Snowcem" Brick and wooden Signalbox Name background: WhiteNº2 Corner Posts: GreenNº3a Gutters and RWPs: GreenNº3a Barge boards, Gutter boards and brackets: StoneNº1a Window Frames: GreenNº3a Sashes: WhiteNº2 Door: GreenNº3a Handrails, brackets and posts: GreenNº3a Handrail posts: StoneNº1a Stove Pipe: GreyNº8 Finials: StoneNº1a Ground frames in the open: Casing: Grey Nº Fog Signal Levers casing: GreyNº8 Interiors. Ceilings: White Sashes WhiteNº2 Walls: All plaster or woodwork from floor to dado: GreenNº3a. Above dado StoneNº1
Note states that Colours of levers and plates with lettering and figures ARE NOT PAINTED OUT OR ALTERED.

BR(S)/E/5/1 Painting : Gates Wicket Gate. To be painted similar colour to adjacent fencing usually Stone No 1 with Metal Hinges, Lock etc.: BlackNº6. Concrete Postas are not painted Open Pale Gate. To be painted similar colour to adjacent fencing usually Stone No 1, all Metal Fittings: Black º6. Concrete Posts are not painted Metal Gates: all GreenNº3a if not previously tarred or galvanized. Concrete Postas are not painted Level Crossing Gates: Gate and wire mesh to be WhiteNº2 all other metal fittings to be BlackNº6 except Red target. Lamp casing: RedNº9 Lamp Circular Plate: RedNº9 Target if not enamel plate: RedNº9 Wicket gates: WhiteNº2 Standard Timber Gate: All StoneNº1, Metal Fittings BlackNº6
(Where these Standard Timber Gates are used at certain Crossings etc. it is left to the discretion of the Divisional Engineer as to whether WhiteNº2 should be used in place of StoneNº1

BR(S)/E/6/1 Painting: Posts: Mile, Gradient etc. All types of mile posts (concrete, iron or wood) to be painted White with black figures Metal Mile Posts: Border of figure plates: Black Gradient posts Timber - Letters and figures: White, arms and post: Green no.3a Timber Gradient Posts: Letters and FiguresNº2, Arms and Post Green N°3a Metal Gradient Posts: Letters, Figs and Border: WhiteNº2, Arms, Post GreenNº3a. Concrete Gradient Posts: Letters and Figures: Green no.3a Divisional Boundary Post: Letters and Top: WhiteNº2, Face GreenNº3a Gang Length Posts: White. Where this boundary occurs at a Mile Post, a RedNº9 bead should be painted immediately under the plate Large Boundary Post: LettersNº2, Post GreenNº3a Small Boundary Post: RedNº9 Stopping Post: Post GreenNº3a Timber Coasting Board: Post GreenNº3a Metal Coasting Biard: GreyNº8. In vicinity of Stations GreenNº3a if not tarred Metal Bridge Numbers: Figures and border: WhiteNº2, Plate: GreenNº3a Concrete Bridge Numbers: Figures: GreenNº3a Perforated Metal Bridge Numbers: All WhiteNº2 Metal Lamp Posts: All GreenNº3a Concrete Lamp Posts: Only metal fittings to be painted: GreenNº3a

BR(S)/E/7/1 Painting: Advertisement Hoardings, Poster Boards. Etc. Poster Board: GreyNº8 with 4" border of GreenNº3, Beading: GreenNº4, Plinth: Green º3a (If Mahogony plinth and/or top then Mahogony to be scraped and re-oiled or varnished as required) Hoardings: 4" border GreenNº3 round posting space, Face: GreenNº3a, Moulding surrounds and beading: GreenNº4 If single sided Hoardings, back: GreenNº3a Wooden Station Nameboards: all Green N°3a with Metal Name Plate Concrete Station Nameboards: Wood Fillet: GreenNº3a, concrete unpainted Frame for Metal Signs: GreenNº3a

BR(S)/E/8/1 Painting: Fencing Open Pale fence: All Stoneº1a Close Boarded fence: All StoneNº1a except top rail: GreenNº3a Iron Railings and Unclimabable Fence: If not already tarred: Green 3a in vicinity of Stations, Depots or Electrical Sub-Stations etc. Corrugated Iron: If not already tarred: Green 3a in vicinity of Stations, Depots or Electrical Sub-Stations etc. Close Boarded (Post & Rail): Creosoted Post & Rail: Creosoted Post & Tube: Concrete Posts unpainted, Timber: StoneNº1a. Tube if not galvanised: GreenNº3a on bridge approaches, WhiteNº2 including posts if these are of timber Open Pale and Concrete Posts: Creosoted. If on platforms: StoneNº1a Poat & Rail: Creosoted

BR(S)/E/9/1 Painting: Noticeboards etc. Warning signs right. All these Boards to be WhiteNº2 letters and border on a RedNº9 ground
Notices right. All these Boards to be WhiteNº2 letters and borders on a Green º3a ground
Instruction Signs right. Letters WhiteNº2 on a GreenNº3a ground. Frame and supports: Green 3a Electrification Notices are of Vitreous Enamel and do not require painting

BR(S)/E/10/1 Painting: Buildings and Structures Water taps in carriage sidings painted: WhiteNº2 All metal lamp posts: GreenNº3a Only metal fitting to be painted GreenNº3a on concrete posts. ancillary buildings (lamp huts, grounded bodies traders stores staff lobbies Doors and windows as before main colour of corrugated iron to be GreenNº3a in vicinity of station otherwise GreyNº8

BR(S)/E/11/1 Painting: Goods Sheds (Exteriors) Timber Sheds: Louvre ventilators GreenNº3a Window Frames GreenNº3a Window Sashes WhiteNº2 Gutters and R.W.Ps GreenNº3a Doors and Doorframes GreenNº3a Timber Cladding StoneNº1a Vents GreenNº3a Handrails WhiteNº2 Steel & Asbestos Sheds: Boards StoneNº1a Gutters and R.W.Ps GreenNº3a Lamp Tubing GreenNº3a Steelwork GreenNº4 Doors, Dor and Window Frames GreenNº3a Window Sashes WhiteNº2 Brick Sheds: Gutters and R.W.Ps GreenNº3a Mouldings GreenNº3a Valence StoneNº1 Interior of Valance StoneNº1a Window Sashes WhiteNº2

BR(S)/E/12/1 Painting: Buffers White beam with 5inch Red horizontal band. All supports to be GreenNº3a in the vicinity of Platforms, elsewhere to be tarred In vicinity of platform to be: GreenNº3a Hydraulic buffer casings, pipes etc. to be: GreenNº3a with RedNº buffers Moving parts are NOT to be painted Lamp on buffer beams to be: BlackNº6 Target around lamp to be: WhiteNº2 in sidings, and RedNº9 in terminal platforms

BR(S)/E/14/1 Painting: Fire Appliances Fire Buckets: RedNº9 inside, outside and handle. Fire Buckets denoted FIRE or SAND as required in BlackNº6 (2½" letters) Fire Bucket Holders: RedNº9, Hooks and Brackets BlackNº6 Racks for Fire Buckets: RedNº9, Hooks and Brackets BlackNº6 If Cupboard Tops are Zinc covered then they are not to be painted Cupboards and Hydrants: RedNº9 High Pressure Fire Hydrant Plates: Yellow Plate with Black Letters Low Pressure Fire Hydrant Plate: Red Plate with White Letters Hydrant Unit Hose Spanners: RedNº9 Hose Cart all RedNº9 except Hose and metal fittings for Hose.

BR(S)/E/15/1 Painting: Miscellaneous Lineside Fittings Point Levers: White, but if Point Lever has a counterweight on the lever it is to be painted with a Red 2 inch band around the weight Point Lever handles not to be painted Guard Boards for stay wires: White if not already creosoted. Warning Bell: GreyNº but GreenNº3a in vicinity of Stations Water Columns: GreyNº8 (except bag), columns enclosed in Anti-freeze material not to be painted Water Tower: All GreyNº8, except base Water Gauge: WhiteNº2 figures on BlackNº6 ground Point mechanisms and rodding: GreyNº8 Permanent Speed Restriction Signs, Figures and Arrows: Yellow Water Taps in Carriage Sidings: pipe and board WhiteNº2 Point Mechanisms: all GreyNº8 Battery and relay boxes: GreyNº8, except in vicinity of Stations when they shall be GreenNº3a Telephone Cupboards and Shunting Bell: All GreyNº8 except in vicinity of Stations where they shall be Green º3a Tablet Setting Down apparatus: Corner Posts and Handrailing GreenNº3a, remainder StoneNº1a Tablet Picking Up apparatus: Post and Arm WhiteNº2, leather cushion not painted

BR(S)/E/16/1 Painting: Cupboards General use Cupboards: GreenNº3a Fire equipment Cupboards: RedNº9 Zinc covered tops: Self colour Staff Telephone Cupboards: GreyNº8 except in vicinity of Stations GreenNº3a Telephone and Shunters Bell Cupboards: GreyNº8 except in vicinity of Stations GreenNº3a

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This page last updated 17 January 2011