Paint questions on postwar Lionel B&M GP9 (photos added)

Hi Jeff.  My 2346 purchased in the late 60's has no grey on the inside.  It's blue with some black overspray.  The B&M logo paint does not cover the blue at the door indents, otherwise clean and sharp,  I can't say it's heat stamped for sure cause it looks so good, but the cab is definitely heat stamped.  Hope this helps.  RICH

I have a reference book, the standard catalog of Lionel trains 1945-1969,  by Doyle.  It says the 2346 "had a black plastic body painted blue, white heat stamped lettering and a black and white heat stamped "BM" on each side. the frame was painted white. "

Note: Based on what Chuck Sator states later on in this thread, i think the Doyle comment about the BM logo being heat stamped is highly likely to be wrong.

Dave and Rich,

Thank you very much. I think I may have a restoration, as the BM logo is ok, but it is not very crisp and does not appear to be heat stamped.

If you can post a few pictures that would help on the repaint question..

First try with adding photos. Do you think loco is original or restoration?

hi Jeff,    sometimes the heat stamping can be really light.  hopefully someone who has the engine can comment.  If its a repaint, it looks pretty good.  THere is a gap on the B when it goes over the tiny gap.  All the best, dave

Thank you Dave and Rich for both your on and off line comments. I appreciate your help and I am glad we have such helpful people in our hobby and on the Forum.

What did you figure out?

What concerns me is the fuzzy edges around the B&M logo.
That written, I don't know whether that is factory or not.

From the lettering and spray pattern, I'm 99% certain it is original.

Did Lionel use masking tape back then? Looks like we see a piece and a spot where one was and there is no paint.

Here is a picture of one I recently sold from my collection. Jeff's shell is identical in color and graphics, except the number. To duplicate it to that perfection would be almost impossible. The lettering is not heat stamped, rather it is pad printed from a machine.

Thank you Dave, Rich, Bobby, and Chuck,

Your analysis and comments have been very helpful. In addition, Chuck provided an off-line description to me of pad printing and heat stamp differentiation that helped confirm the locomotive is not a restoration. I'm ready to oil/lube, put a standard leak prone D cell in the holder (just kidding), hit a few warning blasts with the horn, and pull some trains.