Friends,
The Modeler's Archive pages on espee.railfan.net indicate that the standard caboose color for SP cabeese was "mineral red". I have 4 cars, 2 semi-RTR Walthers (932-27603) and 2 of the old Athearn BB (#1251) to which I will be adding currently unpainted grabs and ladders. The BBs have had their cast-on grabs removed and will also be getting relettered so their entire bodies will be painted as well. Finally, I will be repainting two of the old Walthers Work Train sets to match the color of much of SP's late steam/transition era MoW equipment. My color memory and old photos lead me to believe that their color was close to, if not identical with, their cabooses. And so, I have three questions:
1) can you folks recommend a flat paint that will match the color of those Walthers cabeese (932-27603) without my having to mix to match? (I will be doing the appropriate corner stuff in white.)
2) can anyone confirm that SP's old MoW cars were largely the same color - or "close enough for government work"?
3) even in the mid-50s, some transition era Mow equipment was showing up in that distinctive light institutional (not to say pukey) green. To get me some variety on that project, is there a lead on something pre-mixed that would reasonably pass for that color?
Thanks, all, for your help.
John
RR_Mel I use True-Color #TCP-346 Southern Pacific Caboose Brown, it’s a deep dark redish brown. It’s the same color as the Athearn Southern Pacific Cabooses. The True-Color paint is gloss so you will need to use a flat clear coat. I really like the True-Color paints, their Daylight colors are right on the money. Mel
I use True-Color #TCP-346 Southern Pacific Caboose Brown, it’s a deep dark redish brown.
It’s the same color as the Athearn Southern Pacific Cabooses.
RR_Mel I just installed a SP google eye on the roof of that caboose. I made it from Evergreen #223 Styrene tubing (.093”) and drilled it out to .055” with a #54 drill bit. I managed to squeeze a pair of 0201 LEDs in them. Green forward and red to the rear. That was my third and it didn’t go any easier than the first. I normally use latching magnetic read switches in my cabooses to turn on and off the lighting. I use LIR2032 Coin Cells for power charged from the rails but I ran out of the reed switches. This is the second Bay Window SP caboose that I used a micro snap switch tripped with the chimney. A quarter turn on the chimney turns the lights on and off. Mel
I just installed a SP google eye on the roof of that caboose. I made it from Evergreen #223 Styrene tubing (.093”) and drilled it out to .055” with a #54 drill bit. I managed to squeeze a pair of 0201 LEDs in them. Green forward and red to the rear. That was my third and it didn’t go any easier than the first.