Paint color for CNJ diesels

[trnj]

What model paint color or mix best represents the green CNJ used on its diesel switchers in the 50's and early 60's? It almost looks like a lighter shade of pullman green or dark olive.
Thanks for any input.

[CNJ831]

During much of the 1950's CNJ diesels were painted in what usually was called Seafoam Green (I've heard it called Seamist Green as well) with yellow numbers, herald and striping. This was a fairly deep green/greenish-blue hue. Later, as its financial situation declined further, the CNJ went to painting their locomotives a solid dark green color I believe termed Reading Green at the time. This was of quite a dark hue but still rather greener than straight Pullman green. Engines at that time were without striping as I recall (just herald and numbers). Floquil and Polyscale both offer Reading Green but I have no idea how close it is to the prototype color from around 1960. Polyscale used to make a CNJ Green but no longer.

CNJ831

[trnj]

Thanks, CNJ831, for the helpful information on CNJ diesel green.

TRNJ

[RDG1519]

I mix equal parts of CNW dark green and black . This mixture may vary with paint manufacturer. Having said this the prototype greens also varied with time, exposure to the elements, dirt and grime. This makes it look like their were more than one green on CNJ, not forgetting that the very early CNJ diesels were painted Pullman Green, just like the Early Reading diesels.

I model both CNJ and the Reading. The Reading Green is much too light a green for CNJ.

Both the CNJ Green with stripes and the CNJ all green is the same green.

The best book on CNJ diesels and paint schemes is "Jersey Central Diesels" by Gerard Bernet and published by Withers. This book shows up on E Bay every now and than.

The above mixture of black and green is from Gerard, who also makes fabulous decals for CNJ and a few other roads. His company is Raritan Bay Hobbies 732 494 2932.

Thanks, Chris

[davekelly]

The July 2001 issue of RMC had an article on modeling a CNJ GP7. Here's exceprts from the section on painting:

As built, the CNJ GP7's were painted green with black underbody and trucks and paired Dulux gold stripes . .. . Chicago & North Western Green is in the same "family" of green, but it is too bright. Additionally, the CNJ's green apparently oxidized quickly and darkened considerably. Gerry Gernet, of Raritan Bay HObbies . . . suggests darkening CNW Green with black, Brunswick Green or Pullman Green. After testing a number of paint samples I settled on a mixure of one part Polly Scale CNW Green and two parts Polly Scale Brunswick Green." I'm pretty sure that this mixture will be quite close to the green/black mixture discussed by RDG1519. In any event - the CNJ green took on many different hues and so I wouldn't worry too much if these two mixtures aren't exactly the same.

I agree with RDG1519 that the book "Jersey Central Diesels" is excellent. There's a great chart in the book listing all the paint schemes each individual engine carried. "Jersey Central Lines in Color" (volumes I and II - is there a III?) are also excellent references.

Dave

[trnj]

Thanks to all you guys for the very helpful information. I think I'm set now. Great hobby!

[davekelly]

trnj,

No problem. However, you are not quite set. You still need to post pics of your engines when you're done painting them up! Have fun!

[trnj]

davekelly,

Actually I model a ficticious railroad, the Terminal Railroad of New Jersey or "Jersey Terminal," supposedly a subsiciary of CNJ & B&O, switching industries in North Jersey. I lived in NJ for many moons before relocating to NC and wanted to keep the same theme since I like the "grungy," crowded look of the NE industrial areas and was too lazy to repaint my engines and many CNJ cars! But I am planning to paint an extra Kato NW-2 shell for CNJ and then probably paint over where the CNJ herald and number would be, much like CNJ did with some leased B&O power. I might weaken however and decal it for the CNJ. Where I lived in NJ, the PRSL ran. My other engines re all "engine black" with white frame stripe and lettering. I also plan to add a "leased" B&O switcher at a later date.
Thanks for the help!