[brando]

Did you check out the toy manufacturers? This link http://www.reynaulds.com/products/Marklin/37556.aspx shows the colour to be green. That's likely to be correct for passenger loco's, as the model train buffs are as "bad" about this kind of detail as any other kind of hobbyist

Read the Wiki link also - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNCF_Class_040-D - which explains that the characteristics of the engines are the same bar the marking plates since they are essentially all the same locomotive. The entire class was constructed in Germany and most ended up in France as part of WW1 reparations. By comparing your picture with photos of the G8.1 (class built in 1902-13) it appears that the smokestack may have been shortened - probably due to loading-gauge differences - or even replaced. There are different fittings on the smokebox door compared to other shots I have seen, and this version seems to be without the Westinghouse brake system seen on other variants. But it was a large class of loco's, and it will have evolved during it's eleven year construction period and overhauls in the inter-war years. Lengthened chimneys, smoke deflectors, improved braking systems; these were all about efficiency of operation rather than national characteristics. And please, please note - the "paint job" is not a national thing either. Some shade of green usually denotes a passenger loco, and black a freight loco - throughout Europe - and I hope we won't get stuck with the idea that prevailed in IL-2; that Russian locos are all apple green and German locos are black.

I also hope that the British loco's are portrayed correctly. The big difference is that the majority of the steam pipes( that so clutter the continental designs) are hidden within the boiler casings and superstructure of the UK designs. It's a very pronounced difference.

B