Postwar Alco CN 227 Question......Pics

The one on top looks a lot like the ones I have seen, a fairly light green.....

Marty

I like the green on the bottom a lot better.

I have many of the 227's and 228's. The original color is very unstable and seems to deteriorate over time. The best preserved examples not exposed to UV or oxidation tend to retain a darker color. These are very hard to find. The original poster's photograph shows a 227 in what appears to be near-mint condition. Nice!  However, the vast majority of 227's and 228's will exhibit a lighter color due to deterioration. You will frequently see washed-out and inconsistent coloration, and even areas where yellow shows through on the bodies. My theory has always been that the blue (or cyan) pigments deteriorate leaving either a lighter green color, or even yellow hues where the blue completely deteriorates.

The Lionel 227 are all the same light green like your top photo. The second photo has different coloring due to the lighting and camera settings. There are no major production variations in color.

Most interesting Gents.  Thank You all for the replies.

The unit is indeed a dark green. 

Your answer Gregr would certainly explain the variance.   You have a very interesting theory.

I wonder where else Lionel used the green paint and if those items also follow this fate.

Thank You

Dave

I have searched on line and in various books and am not able to find one example of the dark green version of the Postwar Lionel CN 227 in question as pictured in this thread.

All the examples I find are of the very light greenish version also pictured in this thread.

Gregr and anyone else out there in Trainworld.....if you have one in dark green,  a mention or a picture would be appreciated.

If it was UV exposure that changed the colour then the dark green ones must have lived in boxes or darkness most of their existence ?

Thanks

Dave