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The confusion here is where the Mallard name came from; it has nothing to do with ducks, which are green, but I believe it was based on the original colour of the famous Gresley locomotive 'Mallard' which was blue.
Mallard the locomotive is however now painted something that more closely resembles French blue!
Sorry Alun, just another urban legend!
The loco "Mallard", which still holds the world speed record for steam traction at 126mph was originally painted Garter Blue a shade closer to Pageant blue than anything else and named for the colour of the sash of the order of the Garter. During the war, along with all other locos she became black. On the formation of British railways in 1948, she was painted briefly in the experimental BR express passenger blue (the colour she wears today) before the experiment (along with the red and yellow coaches that accompanied it, known to afficcionados as "blood and custard") was dropped. Her last in service colour change was in circa 1952 to the new standard BR passenger lined green loco livery. This is nearer to Mallard (the colour) than anything else, but doesn't have the blue tinge of the Triumph shade, it's effectively GWR loco green, a darkish BRG sort of colour.
After withdrawal and preservation, Mallard was returned to Garter blue and the condition she was when she broke the speed record. The BR blue is a fairly recent repaint. And is arousing considerable controversy amongst railway buffs!
There you go, that's more history than anyone needs!
Steve
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