Tracking down the true “Apple Green” for the Flying Scotsman

T&R Williamson was privileged to supply the famous Apple Green for the last and previous restoration works, a traditional brushing paint with an excellent wet edge to allow the paint to be worked for a perfect finish. However, before production could start we were called to York Railway Museum to resolve some disagreement between various preservation and restoration societies who differed on their view of what was the real “Apple Green?”

We delved into our Colour Archive that spans back over 100 years, colours from the age of steam traction John Fowler, McLaren and Burrell, Aveling and Porter, the rail empire Cock of The North, Orient Express and so many other iconic names. We are proud the Williamson’s paints decorates the Royal Carriages, Royal Claret, Super Black the richest of colours.

Eventually there it was “Apple Green” last produced in 1967 at the original factory in Ripon. We dug out the colour draw down carefully stored and from that we produced a wet sample and from that wet sample we produced a fresh colour draw down on card and on metal.

To cut to the chase we presented our finding to a room full of folk in York and everyone was on the same page and agreed that the Apple Green we presented was indeed the right colour from the iconic engine.

Our paints, lacquers and varnishes have given life and colour to buses, coaches, trams, cars and motor cycles, established in 1775 we celebrate 250 Years in business this year, 2025.