Russia Iron

[Anonymous]

Is this it?

 http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/eastbroadtop/Heisler/Heisler06.jpg

That's pretty durn close.

I havent much experience with this metal but perhaps a few old steam farm tractors might have had it. I dont know.

[tpatrick]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Very informative and interesting. I'm going for some blue tint so I can imagine my basement ceiling is blue sky rather than ugly cobwebbed rafters.

[scottychaos]

There is a long-standing myth that "Russia Iron was Blue"! (or green..or red..but mostly blue)

it was not! not even remotely blue...Russia Iron is neutral steel grey..

the "blue myth" probably comes from the fact that a Russia Iron boiler would reflect a blue sky, like a mirror, making it *appear* blue..but if you are going to model it, dont make it blue!

The MTH triplex boiler is a disaster..the absolute worst version of Russia Iron I have ever seen! its a pastel "baby blue"..absolutely terrible.

http://www.toytrains1.com/triplex.htm

Check this page for some of the latest thinking on modeling Russia Iron, some great examples of what it should look like:

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=45604

The model of the Heisler on that page is IMO one of the best examples of Russia Iron on a model that there is.

Much research has been done on 19th century locomotive paintschemes in the last few years..The National park service commisioned two replica steam engines for the "Golden Spike National Historic Site" in Utah:

http://www.nps.gov/gosp/

1:1 scale operating replicas of the two famous locos from the 1869 "Golden Spike" ceremony were built..At first, they didnt know what the proper colors of the historic locos should have been, so they made an educated guess..resulting in this:

http://www.davisareacvb.com/attractions_images/goldenspike.gif

The two locos are mostly red, with neutral russia iron boilers that are too dark-grey. should be lighter and shinier.

Then a few years ago Jim Wilke, a railroad historian, who has spent many years researching the actual color schemes of 19th century locos, guided the park service on the correct painting of their replica locos..*including* their Russia Iron boilers! they re-painted the locos, the result is a fabulous representation of the actual color schemes of mid-late 19th century locos..including the Russia Iron boilers..check it out:

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/up119.jpg

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/cp60.jpg

THAT is what Russia Iron is supposed to look like!

notice how NOT blue those boilers are! ;) they are totally neutral.

The blue myth is totally dead, and has been for quite a few years now..not everyone has heard the news yet though, including many of our model train manufacturers, who still insist on clinging to the "blue myth"...and the irony is, the models would look SO much cooler if they did it right! imagine the MTH Matt H. Shay with a shiny neutral steel boiler, like the Golden Spike locos, instead of the hideous pastel baby blue it actually wears..it would look a million times better if they did it right!

Scot

 

[wjstix]

In doing a web search, KIM that it was sometimes called "Prussian Iron".

[dknelson]

Years ago in MR someone suggested that Volkswagon "Polar Silver" was a good approximation of russia iron.

Dave Nelson

[BillyDee53]

http://www.railwayeng.com/dspp/russiron.htm

[modelmaker51]

Here's everything you want to know about Russia Iron as it pertains to locomotive boilers: http://members.fortunecity.com/gknowles/articles/boiler.htm

[Semper Vaporo]

I've heard a lot about this sort of thing, as other modelers were trying to find the right paint mix. Apparently, there were might of been different colors of Russian Iron, but I'm not an expert by any standards.

Your best beat would be to look at the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0, and the new MTH Erie 2-8-8-8-2. They are different manufacturers, so you wouldn't be looking at the same manufacturers' paint mix.

Sorry I can't help further...

Phil

Russia Iron IS the color of a mirror... i.e.: it reflects whatever colors are around it.  To use a pigment to "paint" anything the color of "Russia Iron" is only to paint whatever color someone remembers seeing reflected at one time.

[wgnrr]

I've heard a lot about this sort of thing, as other modelers were trying to find the right paint mix. Apparently, there were might of been different colors of Russian Iron, but I'm not an expert by any standards.

Your best beat would be to look at the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0, and the new MTH Erie 2-8-8-8-2. They are different manufacturers, so you wouldn't be looking at the same manufacturers' paint mix.

Sorry I can't help further...

Phil

[richg1998]

Your were given a good solution for models.

As far as I know, the first prototype locos where not painted. It was the result of making the sheet iron that gave the color. Museums needed to duplicate the finish on locomotives being restored.

http://www.narrowgauge.iform.com.au/russian-iron.html

Do a search for russia iron locomotives. You will find a lot of data. This also makes a lively discussion. Some geezers go wild over this subject.

Rich 

[haefel]

post deleted

[tpatrick]

Does anybody have a paint recipe for Russia Iron?  Some prototype steam  boilers were done  in RI, but I have never seen it offered  as a paint color in the popular hobby  paint brands. I hope one of you knows how to create it.