hank Wrote:
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> also, ISTR reading somewhere that black became the
> preferred locomotive color in the USA at least
> partly as a result of early attempts to reduce
> payroll by getting rid of many of the wipers who
> used to clean engines after each run back in the
> Victorian age...
>
> Hank
This is correct. There are numerous discussions regarding the cost savings to be found in period journals. It more or less coincided with the change to coal from wood fuel. Engine crews themselves began switching from normal clothes to overalls not long thereafter. Coal is dirty stuff.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2019 11:54AM by James.