Re: 168's location?

I found two items referring to blue paint and Russian Iron colors. The first points to D&RGW using green and blue paint inspired by Russian Iron colors into the 30's and later.
The second specifically comments on the blue color applied to the jacket of their model of the Erie Triplex.
The B&O painted their President engines blue and the Santa Fe had their BLUE GOOSE.

[utahrails.net]

Jeff Saxton also noted that the Dunscomb book outlines perhaps where painted green jackets come from, vis; as Russia Iron became unavailable due to the Russian revolution, and as true Russia Iron required frequent wiping to maintain it, one SP official said to paint all jackets to match a specific loco in the yards, which had a greenish Russia Iron jacket. Seeing as Russia Iron varied from deep reds to dark blues, this may explain why railroads like the Southern, Great Northern, B & O, D & RGW, SP, etc..... had green or blue jackets on steam into the thirties and beyond.

The story that the Russian Revolution killed Russia iron has been around for a long time, but personally I question it. Russia iron was always expensive. As paint technology on hot surfaces improved, more and more railroads started painting locomotive jackets. Also the Woods and Sons American iron was finally able to match the quality of Russia iron. These factors reduced the demand for the Russian product in the early 20th century. By the time of the revolution, there was very little Russia iron being imported.

As to the blues and greens used by railroads to paint jackets, I'm fairly confident that this was NOT an actual color match of any Russia iron. Rather the colors were chosen perhaps as representations, and as appropriate colors inspired by Russia iron, but lighter so they would stand out more. Also remember that when Russia iron jackets were common, most locomotives were NOT painted black, so the jacket provided a nice contrast. With a black painted loco, the blue or green jacket provided the contrast.

[www.toytrains1.com]



[www.steamlocomotive.com]
[www.steamlocomotive.com]
Gulf, Mobile & Northern class G-1 Pacific 425
BLUE MOUNTAIN AND READING #425


I still think 168 is beautiful.

PS: EUREKA AND PALISADES #4 with Russian Iron blue jacket.




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2010 12:12AM by jhp43hot.