Cooke Locomotive Works Painting for Narrow Gauge Locomotives

Hi all!!!

I come to you seeking answers. I cannot for the life of me find any information whatsoever on the painting preferences the Cooke Locomotive & Machine Works had for their narrow gauge engines of the 1880s. I have heard some were painted a dark blue all over, but just by looking at builder’s photographs, the dark blue they may have used is indistinguishable from gloss black. I have already seen Mr. Rick Johnson’s drawing for Model Railroader Magazine from December 1998 of a South Park Cooke Mogul, but I’m hesitant to trust it. Good drawing, though.

Why I ask is I’m doing research for a friend on the Cooke 2-6-0s and 2-8-0s of the DSP&PRR. Looks to me like they also had polished wood cabs, judging by a photograph of DSP&PRR 2-8-0 63 in service right after her delivery from New Jersey, but as to what wood it is (if indeed unpainted and stained/polished), I haven’t a clue.

Thanks in advance, and I hope this message finds you all healthy and safe,
Eric



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2020 07:18PM by Eric Ross.