Steam & Excursion > N&W J Class Atlantic(Second J Class) Colors

This may be an out-there question, but I can't seem to turn up any sort of definitive information online or in the print references I have. 

As a long and short, through an ordering mistake, I ended up with a factory unlettered Lionel Atlantic, and in trying to figure out how to letter it, I've settled on it being close enough to the second N&W J Class for me to letter it for that. 

I was ready to just go ahead and throw lettering over the factory black paint, but in a bit more looking around, it appears as though this would NOT be correct for these locomotives. They seem to have a silver(maybe Russian Iron?) boiler, and I've seen depictions with either a blue or black smokebox. I've seen depictions with either a dark cab roof and black cab sides, or depictions with a more maroon cab. I've also seen the tender depicted either in full maroon or with a wide maroon stripe. 

Does anyone have any information on what these may have actually looked like? I'm afraid I'm getting in too deep with this one but want it to at least look decent. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/26 19:53 by benh.

This does sound difficult to figure out since probably no color photos exist and few if any people around who would remember. Perhaps you could try reaching out to the N&W historical society.

Anyway , it is an interesting question. I hadn’t even been aware of the second J class.

Steve Gass
Linden, VA
B-LineRailfan