Great Northern RR

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me what color red the Great Northern use to paint the
cab roof of their steam engines during the 1920's and 30's????? Thanks
ahead of time to all that respond.

[jimrice4449]

I wrote GN concerning the Glacier Green boiler and cylinder jacket color (pre-BN merger) and they wrote back saying that the specific color was determined by what was available locally for whatever shop was doing the work. I would imagine that the rather loosie goosie procedure would also hold for the cab roof color. I always used Scalecoat oxide red with good results

[GN-Rick]

If you have access to the recent books that feature color photos of GN steam
in them, e.g. "Great Northern Steam and Electrics in Color" or "GN Color
Pictorial Vol.1" you can find views showing cab roofs. There is a lot of variations
in colors. The C-1 class of 0-8-0's had a rather bright oxide red-it almost looks
orange. I've seen other photos showing other classes with varying shades of
red ranging from dark (almost boxcar) red up to what is called 'red lead',which
is like Zinc Chromate primer. You will also notice that many GN steamers
actually had black cab roofs-most of which I've seen were flat black-as opposed
to the glossy cab sides and tenders. You can find color pictures of GN steam
also on Lindsey Korst's GN website: www.gngoat.org. Hope this helps.
GNRHS. 98-4159

GN Steam & Electric-By David H. Hickcox-Morning Sun Books
GN Pictorial Vol.1-by Joseph W. Shine-Four Ways West