Photographic grey

Existing customers had also been promised photographs as part of the documentation package for their new locomotives,[1] and this could include such specific instructions as having a bowler-hatted man precisely six feet tall standing alongside, as a scale measure.

Most British railway companies used dark green or red liveries, with virtually all goods locomotives painted all-over black to reduce the need for regular and time-consuming cleaning.

This light colour reproduced well on the photographic plates and picked out the shadows and shading produced by the various components (such as the valve gear and wheel spokes) allowing them to be recorded in detail.

To add to the detail recorded, once the negative had been processed the background behind the locomotive would often be inked out to provide a crisp view of the outline and shape.

The White Star Line's third Olympic class ocean liner, the Britannic was painted photographic grey during her construction and for her launch.