Reply to "RIO Grande Steam locomotive paint colors in 1940s and 1950s"

Dave Funk posted:

From my research on the NG DRGW locos it was hit or miss on the green boilers as not every loco got one.

I used to try to find a dated photo of loco in question, it is challenging as sometimes you had to decide base on

B & W photos. You could spot color differences provided loco wasn't too dirty!

I personally took the green ones as the exception , that and they faded to an (unpleasant to my eye) shade of green

Good luck on the research.

Dave

 

Hi Dave,

Thanks! It's great to get some insights on the green boiler timeframe on certain engines.

I have been looking at some black and white photos and came up with a few candidates I believe may have retained their green boilers into the late 1940s.

Below is 3703 in the late 40s, appearing to have a lighter shade boiler. I'm wondering if this particular  engine had the green boiler in the late 40s?

Likewise, here is #3705 with what appears to be a lighter shade boiler. Could this one also be the green boiler? It appears it may be indeed...

Also, here is the #3710, first of the 2nd Batch of L-105s, being delivered in 1942. This appears to have a pale green boiler as well. Look at the differences of black tones of the cab and tender vs the lighter, more pale color of the boiler...

Looks like a green boiler to me... What do you think?

Thanks! 

David