Possibly the biggest mistake Ives made; this 1928, 3257 was painted in mottled gray. We don't know how many were made but we know of only four that still exist at this point. Notice that the pilots on the example above are stamped steel instead of the die casting that Ives later used. That means that this locomotive was done very early in 1928 as Ives had trouble getting some of their die cast parts in the early stages of die cast production.  The example below has the die cast pilots. Actually there appears to be two distinct colors to this 'mottled' affect. The example above looks almost green, while the one below will appear gray from a distance.

Another rare 1928 engine, this one came with some of the 1928 Black Diamond sets. We have only been able to find two original examples of this locomotive, both of which are pictured here. The example below has what is probably the wrong pilot.

This engine shows up once in a while. It's a gray cab on a red frame, we've also seen it on a black frame. The important thing to note about it is that the axles do not extend into the frame and that it has die-cast pilots.

The word common doesn't apply here, but this would be the most plentiful of any of the 1928 3257s. Cataloged as the Oriole Special it came with three matching 143,144 cars. The orange engine is also unique in that it has the older motor with the axles extending into the frame (see below) but it also has the newer 'plain' trim with the non-engraved headlight hoods and the completely clipped pantograph. The other 3257s on this page have the older headlight hoods (engraved with number) but have the newer motor with the axles ending at the wheel hub.

Two 1928 3257s from the bottom, note the orange one above has the motor with the axles extended into the frame, while the mottled gray one below has the newer motor where the axles do NOT extend into the frame even though it is an earlier engine and frame. The 3255s from 1928 also use the older motor where the axle extends into the frame.