PRR Freight Car Color

[dougnelson]

PRR Freight Car Color - in the unending search for what paint (I use water-based acrylics) to use for PRR FCC, here are some samples.  Note that FCC varied by era.  I model 1948-52.  1930s FCC was more orangey, and 1960s FCC was more brownish.  These samples were brushed onto white watercolor paper and scanned in an Epson scanner.  My old standby was Badger Light Tuscan Red Oxide, however new bottles seem to be a completely different, and much browner color. From this test, to my eye, the combination of Vallejo Cavalry Brown and Amaranth Red looks the most promising.  On the card they are mixed approximately 1:1, however I might try increasing the proportion of Amaranth Red to lighten it further. 
There are too many variables including light, weathering, age, your monitor, your color blindness etc., so your mileage may vary.  The PRRT&HS Paint Committee is working on a color guide to provide definitive information, but in the mean time, we are on our own.  For reference, I believe that recent MicroTrains PRR freight car color looks very close to correct for newly shopped PRR freight cars.  As you see, they are relatively light shade, but in my mind that is correct. ...Begin arguments.

[prr7161]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for this!  I like the Cavalry / Amaranth 1:1 mix a lot, particularly for freshly painted cars.  If you want to lighten it further (not that I think you have to), maybe add some white rather than Amaranth to keep it from tilting too orange.

[reinhardtjh]

First a disclaimer - I haven't painted squat yet so I have no experience.

My target time period for PRR is also the 1948-1952 range.  To me, the Vallejo Cavalry Brown looks like the closest match to Badger Light Tuscan Oxide Red (Old Stock).  The Cavalry Brown/Amaranth Red looks lighter to me.

For an older 1930's era weathered I might try the Amaranth Red mixed with a little less than 1:1 Cavalry Brown But some experimentation would have to be done.

[Angus Shops]

I agree, straight up Calvary Brown looks closer to me (on my Ithing). The Calvary Brown/Amaranth Red looks light.
Geoff

[prr7161]

FWIW, I agree that the straight Cavalry Brown does match the Badger paint pretty well.  I just think the Cavalry / Amaranth mix is a better match to my eye for the prototype - more of an orange cast.

[SkipGear]

Don't limit yourself to Valejo Model Color lines. Model Air and Mecca Color lines are both airbrush ready and have different color ranges. I even find useful colors in the Game Color/Game Air lines. I'll try to remember to look when I'm at the shop tomorrow.

[MarkJ]

Hello Doug,
I rarely post here, but visit frequently. The modeling work posted here is just too good to not take notice!

Anyways, these photos show Badger 16-15 Maroon Tuscan Oxide red sprayed at about 25 psi. First photo is of a Moloco draft gear (I tried to match Atlas’ WM red on this boxcar… and failed).


Second is Funaro & Camerlengo resin X29B kit. Again sprayed at about 25 psi and thinned with distilled water. This carbody was clear coated with Tamiya clear X22, but the underframe was not and no weathering applied anywhere.



This color looks pretty good for the late 40s and 50s era FCC.

I’ll be watching this tread because as you said Badger paint is getting harder to find. That and if you do find it, the pigments might be dried up (even in an unopened bottle). Tru-color is really nice paint/ink to spray, so hopefully they or someone will come up with a formula for FCC.

Thanks, Mark J.
Reading, PA

[nickelplate759]

Tru Color has a variety of freight car red/brown colors, including this one:
TCP-209   PENNSYLVANIA 1945-60’S FRT. CAR BROWN

I don't know how accurate this particular color is, but I've been quite happy with their color choices overall.

[DKS]

I was about to reply that, to my admittedly non-expert eye, "Red Leather" looked closest. So I decided to try an experiment. I searched for a modern photo that might have the best color accuracy, and overlaid the sample swatches...

[muktown128]

Light source is important for color matching.  I have seen very good color matches in one light source (daylight) look very bad in another light source (cool white fluorescent).  That is called metamerism.  Choosing the correct pigments when color matching is necessary to avoid metamerism.  Also, if you think you have a good visual color match, have your wife, girlfriend or daughter look at.  Women generally have better visual acuity than men and color-blindness is more common in men than women.  In fact, I don't know of any women who are color blind.

[wazzou]

... In fact, I don't know of any women who are color blind.

I don't know how common it is verses Men, but my Stepmom was colorblind.

[Missaberoad]

PRR Freight Car color?

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/453058/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/233469/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/238010/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/233625/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/233737/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/181655/
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/352317/

Seems like unless you are trying to model something factory fresh, you can pick any color that is in the ball park.
After weathering you can't be wrong.

[wm3798]

I have the luxury of being pretty color blind in the reds and greens.  So I just buy the biggest rattle can of oxide red primer I can get my hands on for about $4.
Weathering helps to conceal a world of sins.

Lee

[muktown128]

I don't know how common it is verses Men, but my Stepmom was colorblind.

Color blindness or color deficiency information from wikipedia:
"Males are more likely to be color blind than females, as the genes responsible for the most common forms of color blindness are on the X chromosome.[2] As females have two X chromosomes, a defect in one is typically compensated for by the other, therefore females can be carriers.[2] Males only have one X chromosome and therefore express the genetic disorder.[2]"
and
"Red–green color blindness is the most common form, followed by blue–yellow color blindness and total color blindness.[2] Red–green color blindness affects up to 8% of males and 0.5% of females of Northern European descent.[2][4] The ability to see color also decreases in old age.[2] Being color blind may make people ineligible for certain jobs in certain countries.[1] This may include being a pilot, train driver, crane operator, and working in the armed forces.[1][5]"

[dougnelson]

For SPFs, this is both art and science.  The PRRT&HS has a paint committee that has identified Munsell numbers for numerous paint colors for rolling stock, locomotives, and structures.  They provide this information free of charge to manufacturers.  They are in the process of creating a publication in print form.  Their research has been pretty deep - for example from the 1930s to 1960s there are several freight car eras, each with freight car color variations.  With that said, there are many variations and variables that affect the colors that we see, including light source, weathering, paint age, etc., etc.  Most important is to gain an understanding of what is good for your era and use your own eye to determine what is right for you.