Steam loco cab roofs in red?

[steve1]

I have noticed that some North American kettles steam locos have what looks like Tuscan Red painted cab roofs.

 

Was this merely for aesthetic effect or was there some particular reason?

 

Thanks

 

steve

[Smudge617]

The "red" paint - with varieties called boxcar red, barn red, etc. - was pretty common back in the early mid 20th century.  It was easily derived from the source ores (forgot exactly which), which made it cheap, plentiful, and of course decorative.