Re: Color blind

Posted by Mike Trent on May 11, 2015; 12:59pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Color-blind-tp2208p2221.html

Hi Phil.

It's pretty easy, actually.

Start with the basic "Boxcar Red", which can be whatever flavor you like. Harry Brunk suggested a mix of Floquil Boxcar Red and Caboose Red. Floquil's "Zinc Chromate Primer" is very close to that. There are any number of Red Oxide colors available that would be compatible. Anyway, Once you have your red color picked out, thats your red. Cabooses, boxcars, and structures all used "Red" from the same origin. Color variants might occur naturally from a different vendor or fading, but on the C&S, red was red. It was the "Q" in later years, in the 50's, I believe, that decided to paint cabooses in a brighter red. Best not to go there. It was about the same time that they started painting plows and rotary wheels red too. Not in the 20's.

So now you have red. After that, get some Reefer Yellow and some black for locomotives and tank cars and you're all set. Oh, and Dark Green of your choice for passenger cars.

You can drive yourself nuts if you think you have to have everything to specific colors. But this is a great place to look for information because a lot of folks here have actually found evidence here and there on vaarious pieces that survived.

Best thing to do is remember the great Bob Stull's Rule #1. "It's MY railroad." Do what you think looks right and it blends together nicely. Remember that whatever color you choose might have looked slightly different to your eye depending on the time of day, the angle of the sun, or even if it was cloudy that day. Everything can be weathered to your own taste for variation to the extent you desire.
 
Having said all that, for red, I prefer Floquil Zinc Chromate unless I have Boxcar Red and Caboose Red to mix. For passenger cars, try Model Master "Dark Green". That color, or Pullman Green if you prefer, can also be used for trim on your 1920's structures.

Good luck, but mostly have fun and enjoy whatever you do!

Mike Trent