Re: Tricolor Heralds and Green Boilers on the D&RGW K-37's.

I would agree. The good folks at the CRRM have done outstanding work in providing a compelling case that at least the 491, if not all the K-37's, were delivered with a green boiler jacket and tri-colored herald. With that said, I believe that this paint scheme did not last very long and would not be a representation of how the locomotives were painted throughout the majority of their service life. I would also agree that maybe, some other narrow gauge locomotives carried this paint scheme in some form or another, but not all and again, not during the majority of their service life. In other words, just because the K-37's were painted that way, does not mean that all the other DRGW Narrow Gauge locomotives were painted that way as well. Regarding DRGW and Standard Practice Cards. having worked with the restoration and rebuilding of then DRGW NG locomotives while in Durango in the early 80's, I can confirm, that the DRGW shops did not necessarily follow those standard practices as published. They did what they needed to do with the supplies (and paint) on hand and got them on the road. I would never discount the information and eye witness accounts of both Mr. LaMesena and Mr. Perry regarding green boilers and tri-colored heralds. With that said, others have interviewed retired and long deceased railroad employees that worked on the narrow gauge in the 30's and 40's and some don't remember what the color was or remember them being painted any other color than black. That does nor discount the research and work by the CRRM and providing the evidence as noted, but I think it may need to be looked at by locomotive, and with the exception of the K-37's, not class or all narrow gauge, but by individual locomotive regarding this topic.

Now, can the 346 go back to being painted black with the standard herald...one green boiler is enough....

Mike Ramsey