Re: D&RGW 464 - AHA! AHA!

First, a disclaimer. Never say "never" or "always" when you are speaking about the configuration of machinery in the past. This is ongoing advice for me as well as others. " />
That said and for the sake of discussion, I have just spent some time in O'Berry's Mudhens book. It would seem that in any given year after any given paint job you will find the deckbraces either graphited or black. Pick a photo and enjoy yourself! Classic example, pages 37 and 39 of that work and the 453. P 37 clearly shows a deck brace significantly darker than the smokebox in 1937. P 39 clearly shows that same deckbrace in the same color as the smokebox in 1939. Both shots at Montrose. Again, 454 on Page 55 taken at Montrose in 1937 clearly shows what appears to be a silver smokebox and deckbraces (matches the silver painted valve gear and the silver painted axle ends and springs - Gotta love those Gunnison paint boys! On Page 56 we have the same engine at Montrose in June of the same year, 1937, with what appears to be a graphite smokebox and much darker deck braces. Also, the engine is without all the silver on the valve gear and other parts. I suspect the first shown photo was actually taken later in the year.
The Grande did not "always" graphite their smokeboxes and fireboxes (mixture of graphite and oil, rubbed or brushed on). Sometimes, particularly out of Gunnison from the late '30s on, they were painted silver.
The braces could either match the box or contrast depending, apparently, upon the desire of the individual paint crew. One thing is for certain, however, and that is that the deck braces, along with most of the rest of the front end, did not stay graphite or silver very long but would start to blacken with soot from the first trip out. By the time a photographer found a K-27 it was usually dirty and uniformly gray from one end to the other.
As far as the 464 herself is concerned, I see the photo you are refering to, Marty and Paul. I agree that the braces matched the smokebox color but that color is a dark graphite and not silver. Look at the contrast between the silver cylinder covers and the box. If the 464 matched this color on her front end she would look "right." The braces would blend into the locomotive instead of standing out. Note too that this photo shows the engine with a very recent and clean paint job. Look at those shiny domes and cab side. But note how dirty the front end, mechanism and firebox is afer one or two runs over the line. Mudhens kicked up dust as they waddled along and showered their smokeboxes and decks with cinders.
And that leads me to the second AHA! in the title. Looking at Dennis' book I realized that this is what didn't look right about the 464 when it was at Knotts burning oil and in the shots I have seen of it at Flint. It is too clean. Personal preference, I guess, but if you compare the spit and polish 464 with the high-sulfer coal-burning 463 there is a world of difference in their appearance. Have to say I prefer the latter. Just like 41 and 340 would look better at Knotts with a little soot!
I am tickled pink that 464 is preserved, and operational and, Marty, you can paint those braces any color you like. Just don't wash her quite so often. " />