GN Color Scheme

[whitman500]

I noticed that older GN steam locomotives were often painted green. When did this practice stop and were there any rules about which steam locomotives were painted green instead of black? I bought an undecorated 2-8-8-2 and can't find any color photos of it and am trying to figure out whether it should be green and silver or black and silver (incidentally, any recommendations on what silver paint to use for the smoke box). Any help much appreciated.

[GN-Rick]

The GN used what they called 'Boiler Jacket Green' indiscriminately
on both freight and passenger locomotives from the early part of
the 20th Century up until about 1949 when a directive was put out
stating that steam locomotives were to henceforth be painted black.
There were, of course, exceptions to this-engines wearing black
earlier than this, and a few painted green after, though this is rare.
Check out Lindsey Korst's www.gngoat.org website-there are color
photos of 2 just shopped GN locos in the green scheme-the 2012
and the 2555. The R class 2-8-8-2s were painted similarly, As for
the smokebox color, a reasonable color mix is equal amounts of
silver and black mixed together-you'll have noticed, I'm sure, that
GN smokeboxes were not dark graphite like Floquil's, and (except
for some passenger engines) not a bright silver either. Hope this
is helpful.

[GN-Rick]

One other quick note. Please consider joining the Great Northern Railway
Historical Society. You'll find lots of excellent information on the railroad
and its equipment. Go to www.GNRHS.org for more information.
By the way, is your 2-8-8-2 a Tenshodo (PFM) model or of another
manufacturer?

[whitman500]

Thanks for the information. That was very helpful. The locomotive I am modifying is a Proto 2000 series with sound. It probably needs to some modifications in the detail parts but for starters I'm going to focus on the color and decals.

[ragnar]

Unfortunely the only thing the USRA locomotive had in common with the GN R2 was the wheel arraignment.
But good luck anyhow,thats a fine running locomotive you've got from what what I've seen of them.