HELP! Paint Mixture for PRR Passenger Cars

[Anonymous]

Presently , I am converting my HO Rivarossi cars and need to repaint them. However, I am unable to come up with any satisfactory off-the-shelf model paint color.

Does anyone have a good mixture that is close to the prototype Tuscan red or new Walthers PRR smooth side streamliner colors?

Lost in paint land.

jb

[Mark300]

jb,

Check out Polly Scale's paint system; Try out their PRR Tuscan (414167), PRR Maroon (414161) , their E/L Maroon (414242) and/or their Rock Island Maroon (414248). One of those should get you close to a true PRR Tuscan color without too much mixing and fussing. You can download their paint chart as a PDF from their web site.

Every so often there has been a set of E8's parked with about a half dozen passenger cars in splendid Tuscan down at the 30th St yard in Philadelphia (Someone has a private Train!?!). When they've been cleaned up they are brighter and 'redder' with a gold cast in the maroon. When they need cleaning they are dull and have a gray/black cast. Don't forget the yellow or buff lettering and do take into consideration any weathering since that really seems to change the apparent color.

What I'm saying is that it's a subjective thing so long as the cars are a consistent color.

What part of the Pennsy are you modeling?

HTH

Mark

[Anonymous]

Mark,

The Poly Scale PRR Tuscan (414167) is too far off for me . I will take a look at the E/L Maroon (414242) and/or their Rock Island Maroon (414248). These seem like good possibilities.

Presently, I am very close to the Walthers SS streamliner tuscan using Poly Scale's PRR Tuscan (1 part) + Boxcar Red (1part) + Cabose Red (2 parts). Still not quite there.
However, this can work for head end equipment with additional weathering ( 50 percent Grimy Black and water mixture plus powders).

Color photos (books/internet) show trains with differing tuscan shades. I also remember them being this way.

In September , we are moving into a new house in Gettysburg. At that time, I hope to start work on a modules representing PRR Baltimore to Williamsport in the mid 1950's.

Today, I am a member of the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Vienna, VA. This provides me with a large layout to run on.

Thank you for your help.

jb

[nfmisso]

Join the PRRH&TS. THey have quite a bit of information.

[Mark300]

jb,

Sounds like you'll get to the 'right' color.

Good luck with your move to Gettysburg...There's a great hobby shop on E. Water Street....with lots of Pennsy (among other) stuff.

Batlimore to Willamsport in the 50's.....Electric from Baltimore to Harrisburg/Enola and steam/diesel the rest of the way.... all next to the big wide Susquehana with dramatic countryside; Nice.

Glad to help,

Mark

[ndbprr]

I have always used FLoquil Tuscan red but most people today want to avoid the solvents. I think the overwhelming evidence today is we are far too picky regarding color matching. Paints fade and oxidize. Only the Broadway limited was kept as matching as possible and then beause it washed so often. I am starting to enjoy the variance in colors on my PRR stuff as it adds to the prototype flavor.

[Anonymous]

I wish I knew more about the eastern part of the county. I have some pennsy stuff, including a complete set of the Spectrum P-70 coaches/diner/RPO-baggage. I have never been east of Ohio so I would probably not do justice to the eastern terrain on a layout. Since I lived in Kansas for many years I model the Santa Fe. I know what wheat fields look like up close, but I could easily get enthused about a K-4 pulling that passenger equipment. Come to think of it I have a Spectrum K-4!

Cheers

[Mark300]

Ed

The Pennsylvania was a really huge road with many different operating environments....once those K4's got west of Pittsburgh into Ohio and Indiania they ran...NO...Flew through that countryside to Chicago at speeds over 70, 80 maybe 90 depending.

That difference in enviroment is what frustrated them because what worked so well on the flatlands often affected adhesion, water consumption, coal consumption (not to mention needing helpers) when they hit the Alleghenys.

In books about the Pennsy,there are lots of old photos of their passenger (& freight) trains running east of Chicago or into Indiana on the flat countryside. I believe they ran into St. Louis, Mo. too.

Hey,,,,,Run an excursion to Kansas City....in one of the previous issues of 'Classic Trains' there was an article about the PRR's and Santa Fe's cooperative use of Ti-motor planes in putting together a 'Transcontinental Package' to get someone from NYC to LA in the late 20's and early 30's.

The possiblites are limitless when you're modeling!

Happy (Model) Railroading!

Mark

[ndbprr]

The service you refer to was initiated by the PRR and was open to anyone. The first transfer was at Columbus Ohio and the terminal still exists. the idea was that people would fly by day and sleep on a train at night. It didn't last very long. Modeling the PRR east of Ohio offers a modeler just about any terrain you want with the exception of extremely rugged mountains. East of Harrisburg is piedmont consisting of low rolling hills. West and north are the Allegeny mountains. No matter where you model the PRR in the east there are lots of deciduous trees and old buildings.