RDG Co. Paint Colors Guide
We often get requests for paint colors to accurately restore Reading Railroad buildings and equipment. Our paint guide is a work-in-progress as we are seeking help identifying formulas used by the Reading. If you can provide us with any assistance, please e-mail us at info@readingrailroad.org
Determining paint colors is an inexact science. Paint colors vary with age and memory, and photos do not accurately reproduce colors. Getting this information together is a challenge, as careful records were not always kept for past projects. We cannot in any way guarantee results based on our recommendations. Use your own judgement and experiment. (Please note: the RCT&HS does not have the resources or staff to honor individual requests regarding specific modeling questions)
Rolling Stock–Prototype
| Pullman (olive drab) scheme: info to come | ||
| Yellow/Green scheme: info to come | ||
| New Green scheme: info to come | ||
| Woodfield Green: (circa '45–'52, used on F units) DuPont Duco 246-6195 | ||
| Black: (circa '45–'52, used on F units) DuPont Duco 2234 | ||
| Imitation Gold: (circa '45–'52, used on F units) DuPont Duco 254-54388 | ||
| Freight Car Brown: info to come | ||
| Caboose Red: info to come | ||
| Gray: info to come | ||
| Creme: info to come |
Structures–Prototype
| Brown: ICI-Glidden, Devoe Industrial Alkyd Enamel, #3118 Rich Brown, stock color | ||
| Creme: ICI-Glidden, Devoe Industrial Alkyd Enamel, Cylinder Cream | ||
| Mix is: • Base 4308-0200 • YOX-10 • LFY-2P37 • FFR-21 |
| Note: | |
|---|---|
| These paints have been used with fair success on small sheds at our museum. The cream will almost certainly appear too yellow on application, but will weather to a tamer shade. The Gettysburg Railroad may have used these paints on its depot in 1999. | |
Rolling Stock & Structures–Model
| Pullman (olive drab) scheme: • FLOQUIL: Pullman Green (weathered look) • SCALECOAT: Pullman Green | ||
| Yellow/Green scheme: • FLOQUIL: Reefer Yellow*/Dark Green or Southern Green | ||
| • POLLY SCALE: Reading Yellow/Reading Green • SCALECOAT: Reading Yellow/Reading Green | ||
| New Green scheme: • FLOQUIL: Southern Green/Reefer Yellow | ||
| • MODELFLEX (BADGER): Reading Green • SCALECOAT: Southern Green/Railbox Yellow | ||
| Freight Car Brown: • FLOQUIL: Boxcar Red • SCALECOAT: Boxcar Red | ||
| Caboose Red: • FLOQUIL: Caboose Red and Roof Brown • SCALECOAT: Caboose Red and Roof Brown | ||
| Gray: • FLOQUIL: D&H Gray • SCALECOAT: D&H Gray | ||
| Blue: • SCALECOAT: B&O Royal Blue | ||
| Creme (faded yellow): • FLOQUIL: Reefer Yellow/Reefer White, mixed to suit | ||
| Brown & Creme (structures): • FLOQUIL: Depot Buff and Roof Brown |
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