1804 - 1875. Pioneering. era 1 1875 - 1922. Pre-Grouping. era 21923 - 1947. The Big four - GWR, LMS, LNER and SR. era 31948 - 1956. British Railways - Early Emblem. era 4 1957 - 1966. British Railways - Late Crest. era 51967 - 1971. British Railways - Blue Pre TOPS*. era 61971 - 1982. British Railways - Blue TOPS*. era 71982 - 1994. British Railways - Sectorisation. era 81995 - to date. Post Privatisation. era 9
Each of the constituent companies of the LMS had their own liveries for locomotives and rolling stock. The board of directors of the LMS was dominated by former Midland Railway officers, and the company adopted the "crimson lake" livery for coaching stock as had been used by the Midland and Glasgow & South Western Railways prior to grouping (with the North Staffordshire Railway using a very similar shade). The livery worked well, proving to be hard wearing and practical