Rolling Stock Colors

[Steve Ford]

In general what colors did the Monon paint its rolling stock?  The Barriger era boxcars seemed to be a dark red.  I know some hoppers where painted black for a while.  I’ve looked at several models that depict gondolas in blue and gold, or a chalky red.  Did the Monon use a different color of red for the pre-Barriger era rolling stock and then later change to a darker red like you see on boxcar no. 1?

Thanks,

Steve 

[Tim T Swan]

Steve, in the Barriger era and through the 50's, Monon generally painted its freight cars an oxide red.  MoW cars also.  The black hoppers and gons didn't appear until near 1960 or so.  The only exceptions I can think of offhand were the first 52' flat cars, which were delivered in the early 40's in black with white "Reliable Service" heralds.  Plus a few boxcars and covered hoppers in gray with red lettering.

I think the differences you're seeing between the pre-barriger "brown" and the red as on Boxcar #1 is mostly sun-faded weathering.  There were never any cars in blue and gold.

[Mike Aufderheide]

Tim,

A small point, the 1941 flat cars had roman style lettering, but no herald.  That would have been cool though.  See attached for the builders photo.  I decorated a Proto 2000 car this way and I like it because it is the only Monon car I have that is black.  Every other flat car the Monon had then was brown: 20000 & 7500 series and the similar 52 foot cars devlivered in 1952.

Mike Aufderheide

[Steve Ford]

So, were the pre-Barriger era cars the same oxide red, or were they a different color.  I'm trying to model the transition era, and am not sure about the color of earlier rolling stock.

Steve

[Tim T Swan]

Good point, Mike.  Thanks for the push.

[Mike Aufderheide]

Steve,

I looked through the photos I have and don't any color shot of any of the pre-war cars in their as-delivered color with reliable service herald.  FWIW, the paint looks on the dark side, I tend to believe the Red Caboose model has correct color on it.  The only color photo I have seen of an earlier car is a war era shot of a CNW yard from 1943 including a single sheathed Monon 2000 series car, see attached for a snip.  It looks to me more like the brown the Southern used.  Also notice the black roof.  BTW, Mont Switzer has recommended using oxide red mixed 50/50 with boxcar red to get the post-war Monon color. 

Regards,

Mike Aufderheide

[Steve Ford]

Thanks for the info, that gives me some more to work with.

Steve