It is not a first. We used to paint them up fresh in the Kyle years. I dont think we did it every year and by opening day some were already dirty from plow service.
It always amazed me that they could get dirty so fast. I always admired the operations that could afford "Imron" paint. The regular old enamel we used got scratched by the soot and cinders so it didn't stay shiny very long even when cleaned regularly.
The three freshly painted loco's sure look nice though congratulations for all the hard work.
John Bush