The 3257 and 3257R were new in 1926. In both 1926 and 1927 they came only in gray with a steel frame and red snow plow pilots. Some late 1927 or early 1928 models have been found in gray with the die cast pilots.

Picture of the underside of a 3257R locomotive made after 1927 showing the Patent number.This was the patent for the reverse unit and is found only on the 'R' models.

This locomotive is from a 1927 set, it is green and has the snowplow pilots. Actually this engine was originally gray, but was heavily shellacked. The shellacking turns green with age, the cars that came with this engine were also green, but kept their original gray color inside and underneath where the shellacking didn't reach. Below is a comparison of two 3257s the one on the left is the common gray. The engine on the right is a cadet blue in color and came with a set of matching cadet blue 141-142 cars.

Every once in a while a 3257 shows up with slots in the doors, it would appear Ives had intended on making a brass insert door for these engines (similar to wide gauge locomotives in 1928).