Re: "It isn't easy being green." - #488

Earl,

By the time the K class locomotives were built, Baldwin had "updated" their green. The original Olive green which became the standard Baldwin color debuted in 1877 and was a deep yet still very "olive" green. At some point (the date escapes me) the green becomes darker, closer to a Brunswick green. This green often appears black to the average eye, in fact only in mid-day sunlight on a clean surface would it even look green. After a few months of service it would be hard to tell at first glance that the green was even green.

It is important to note that while the D&RGW had no green locomotives, the D&RG certainly did. D&RG 4-4-0s in the same batch as "Ptarmigan" were delivered in Baldwin Olive and the "Mountaineer" was likely green as well although a much brighter green as the locomotive was painted to British practice rather than American practice. For anyone interested in the paint on D&RG locomotives up to the "age of black" I highly suggest checking the back issues of The Prospector, Jim Wilke wrote an exceptional article describing not only the earliest D&RG locomotives but it includes description of the paint worn by the Class 56 and 60 locomotives in their "black" paint.