Jeff,
Does the archive have materials specifications for any of the locomotives that
we have been discussing (T1a, H, etc.)? If not, would the National Museum of
Science and Technology have them?
Russian iron was gone by the 1880s, but it’s not impossible planished iron was
used. Other alternatives would be oiled steel, steel with a surface treatment
similar to the bluing mentioned in another post, or a high gloss enamel
intended to simulate one of the above. The specifications for the boiler
sheathing would indicate if it was anything but the last choice, which would
show up in paint specifications instead. Knowing which approach was taken
might suggest options for duplicating the colour in models or restorations.
Jon Makar
