Reply to "Why were Steam Engines painted "Black""

I imagine it was a simple issue of economics. Back at the start of the 20th century you could get a Ford Model T in any color you wanted as long as it was black. Henry Ford found out that black paint dried the fastest so more cars could be built. I agree with other posters about soot and such but I would also think that in maintenance the black paint dried faster making down time less so the locomotive could be out earning revenue.