NRE Genset stack color

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I find photos of the NRE Genset (3GS21B) with the three stacks painted, metal gray and rusted. Not all photos can be classified by time.

My assumption is that the stacks have been painted in the factory (most photos of brand new delivered Genset). After some time the heat has destroyed the paint and the typical gray metal becomes visible. Some time later the unprotected metal will rust and the stack looks brown.

Can those of you who see the Genset in real confirm my assumption?

Background of my question are the beautiful black stacks (UP, BNSF and PHL) of the new Atlas H0 Genset. I think they need some gray or brown paint.

2

Reinhard,

Most of the Gensets in my area (So. California) are still so new I have not seen any with the paint peeling off the stacks or rusted out. As a matter of fact, these things run so clean (no black exhaust smoke pouring out the stacks) they hardly get dirty. I would imagine Gensets in a harsh weather environment could show some wear so someone in the northeast USA (CSX, CP) could help you out a little better.