IRM Latest! Only the One Shade of Grey: 800 In Photographic Grey Livery Completes Our Goddess Line-Up

[Warbonnet]

When the mighty Bredin Class B1a 800 Maeḋḃ first emerged from Inchicore Works in April 1939, few could have predicted the visual legacy it would leave behind. At first glance, its overall grey livery seemed nothing out of the ordinary—after all, both the Great Southern & Western Railway (GSWR) and its successor, the Great Southern Railway (GSR), had long favoured an unlined mid-grey finish for their locomotives.

Yet Maeḋḃ was no ordinary machine. As the new flagship 4-6-0 locomotive, representing the pinnacle of Irish steam design, Inchicore gave 800 the full Works’ Photographic Grey treatment—complete with delicate lining and highlighting. When the locomotive rolled out for its press photographs in that elegant, monochrome splendour, it immediately set a new aesthetic benchmark. This was not simply a prototype in grey; it was a vision of Irish locomotive pride.

By the time of the official demonstration run on July 17, 1939, the photographic grey had given way to the newly adopted GSR green livery—a scheme that would go on to define not only Maeḋḃ and her two sisters but also their later service with Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). Still, the striking appearance of the Works’ Photographic Grey remains iconic, representing the transition from industrial utility to refined presentation.

Our new presentation model seeks to capture that original look as faithfully as possible. Every contour, every detail of the Photographic Grey has been carefully recreated.

In keeping with the exclusivity and museum-grade craftsmanship of this extremely exclusive nature, the model includes alternative etched nameplates, cab plates, and tender plates for the unbuilt 803 and 804, which were rumoured to have carried the names Aífe (Aoife), Derdriu (Deirdre), and Gráinne. These names appear in the GSR tender lists, alongside two ‘spare’ numbers—83 and 84—suggesting that, at least on paper, the continuation of the class was once a real possibility.

For enthusiasts of Irish railway heritage, we’ve also included separate headboards for the Enterprise service, paying tribute to one of the most distinguished duties ever undertaken by these locomotives.

Each model will be presented in a hand-crafted wooden presentation box, befitting the prestige and historical importance of Maeḋḃ—the queen of Irish steam, remembered forever in that singular shade of grey. Each model will come with a exclusive edition certificate and will only be available via the Accurascale IRM website. 

Due to the exclusive nature and added features of this model, it is priced at £329.95/€367.95 for DC/DCC Ready and £429.95/€484.95 DCC sound fitted. Delivery will be with the rest of the 800 models which is on course for Q3 2026. Pre-order below!

Pre-Order Your Grey GSR 800 Here!

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[Flying Snail]

Wow - it looks gorgeous! 

[ttc0169]

Ohhh that’s nice

[Patrick Davey]

Gulp 

[DJ Dangerous]

Did Maedb actually run in the grey livery before the official demonstration run, or did it never see the light of day after the photoshoot?

[Mol_PMB]

26 minutes ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Did Maedb actually run in the grey livery before the official demonstration run, or did it never see the light of day after the photoshoot?

This image is from the Inchicore 175 album on Flickr, showing another view in grey. It seems to have been moved around for photos in different locations at Inchicore, at least!

 

[Mol_PMB]

Looking closer at the photo I posted, the loco has a load of coal in the tender, and is a bit grubby in places, suggesting that it may have seen a bit of use (trials?) in this condition. 

Note that it does not carry a nameplate, or the GSR crest on the tender.

IRM's photo at the top of the thread has the cast GSR crest, but less (or no) coal in the tender.

[airfixfan]

Seen 800 in the LNER like livery today. Interesting

[jhb171achill]

Saw this at the show yesterday. STUNNING!!!!

[airfixfan]

Must be accurate then!

[jhb171achill]

On 25/10/2025 at 3:11 PM, DJ Dangerous said:

Did Maedb actually run in the grey livery before the official demonstration run, or did it never see the light of day after the photoshoot?

No. It was common practice, since the 1870s anyway, for new exmples o locos to be painted up like this to emphasise detail in official photos. They would then be repainted in theor "proper" livery before going into traffic. You'll note also that while grey, 800 had not yet been given her nameplates. The reason for this was that there was a delay producing them. This was because originally they were to have nameplates with Roman characters and the English-language spelling "MAEVE". But upon seeing the plates, officialdom decreed that the Irish version and gaelic script be used instead, so the English-language ones were melted down.

Senior was there to see it, though (typically!) he did not take any pictures himself. After the photo shoot - and several different views were taken - it was painted in the unique GSR green livery before entering traffic.

[jhb171achill]

It is worth pointing out too, that "photographic" grey liveries (on all things) were not to be confused at all with the then standard locomotive grey livery. Firstly, the shade used as loco livery was very dark - several shades darker than this. Secondly, numberplates had the same grey backgrounds, with rims and numerals picked out variously in cream or sometimes polished bare whitemetal. Sometimes the number plates were just painted all over grey with no detail picked out. A couple of senior's photos show this oin newly painted locos at Inchicore in the 1930s.

For those modelling the GSR, the standard "bought" model numberplates usually have a black background - this is only accurate on locos which are black in late CIE period; also, being little brass plates, the detail is a brassy colour - best painted over in a cream colour and grey background to look accurate.

Finally, and most importantly, the dark grey GSR / CIE livery extended over the smokebox - these were never black-painted on grey locos, with two exceptions - a pair of locos painted almost at the end of steam, about 1961 - these were J15 No. 193 and (as far as I recall) an ex-Midland J18. Both got all over grey but with black somkebox. Otherwise, the whole thing was grey! Photos often show what appears to be a darker smokebox - this is due to paint buring on the surface of it, but they were painted the same grey. This "phenomenon" may be seen on the RPSI's 186 at Whitehead.