An Erie question for Chris

[3rdrail]

Take a look at this photo and the ones immediately before and after on "Fallen Flags" new items today:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/loco/erie-s1578lba.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/loco/erie-s1599lba.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/loco/erie-s1613lba.jpg

The photos are black and white of course, but it sure looks to me like the Erie painted the boiler jackets something other than black on these.  Gray? Green?

I note they're all Consolidations, too.

[Chris333]

Well all the links I just dug up and posted here evaporated when I hit "post"...  >

I think it is a form of Russia Iron. Mostly the earlier the photo the more silvery it looks, those 2-8-0's are all taken before 1941.  I can find photos of the same engine, one will look black and one will look silver (in a black & white photo) It could have a lot to due with the lighting and if the boiler was wiped down with oil it will reflect and look shiny.

The exact color is debated, but here is a color photo:
http://www.magiclantern.org.uk/images/bt3377b.jpg