Personal tastes are one thing, but to argue that striping the running boards and tires is somehow not historically accurate isn't quite accurate. Even some of the raods mentioned did more than just paint their locos black.
The UP had a two-town gray with yellow stripes and lettering scheme that was used on some of their passenger power. I've seen photos of a variety of locomotives in it, including 4-8-4's. IIRC, the 844 was in that scheme not too long ago.
The Great Northern was fond of green boiler jackets and red cab roofs, black tenders and cabs, and white driver tires. Even on coal burners. The Southern's green passenger scheme influenced the ET&WNC.
And then there is the D&RGW, which called for aluminium paint on the following locations (see Standard Practice 57-L-179) : cylinder heads, number plate bead, tire rims, edge of running board. That shows up in a lot of slides taken by R. H. Kindid, John Maxwell, others from 1936, when Kodachrome came out, to the end of steam on the standard gauge in 1956, and the end of steam on the narrow gauge. I note that some locations apparently used white paint instead of aluminium at some times.
While it may not be your idea of good looks, painted tired and striping the running boards or outlning the tender tank IS historically accurate in many cases.
Tastes differ. I like locomotives painted in accord with the D&RGW's SP 57-L-179. You like them all black like the Pennsy. Each is appropriate in its own place.
Thanks for reading.
Charlie Mutschler
-30-