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Mike, I agree with Charlie on this. All color photos I’ve seen of MP steam locomotives show a darker color than say an SP locomotive that had bright silver/aluminum color. My favorite for painting MP steam has always been Floquil Graphite with a bit or Roof Brown for a fresh-from-the-shops locomotive, and then adding a bit of Reefer White or SP Lettering Gray to let down the color for weathered locomotives. But, all color shades are subjective, especially when exposed the the elements for a long time.
As an aside, and to complicate the issue, it has always seemed to me that locomotive side rods were never a bright color. Some color movies, I believe that Joe Collias had, showed a definite cast to them, perhaps from the lubricating oil/grease and dirt they’d pick up. Of course this too would depend on how long the locomotive had been in service since its last shopping or washing.
Jerry Michels
