B&O "Freight Car Red"

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I should’ve written to Ask Paint Shop, but being the King of Procrastinators, never got around to it. The B&O painted most of its freight cars in what they called “Freight Car Red”, also described by Mel Thornburgh as “Indian Red”. It was a distinct shade of Boxcar Red, lighter than usual. Years ago, I belonged to the B&O RR Historical Society, and they had a lively debate going: “Red Steam Loco Cab Roofs, Yes or No?” It was discovered that some divisions painted cab roofs red, others didn’t, but it was agreed that Floquil lacquer #110088 “DH CABOOSE RED” was a dead ringer for the color.

Now I’ve changed to O scale (because I can actually SEE it!) and am building old-time equipment, including several kinds of B&O boxcars, one of them unique. Not only does Floquil no longer make this color, they never did make it in Polly S. I have two bottles of the lacquer, but can’t use it in my apartment without breaking my lease! Can anyone point me to an acrylic paint that approximates “Freight Car Red”, “Indian Red”, or the “D&H Caboose Red”? I’m a complete mutt when it comes to matching color shades!

Thanks, and Happy Railroadin’!

Dean Hammons

2

I think that most of the Floquil colours have also been made in their Polly Scale line of paints. This is not the same as the old Polly S paints. Your best bet is to take one of your old bottles of Floquil down to your LHS and see if you can find anything that looks similar in the Polly Scale line. Make sure that both paints are well mixed before comparing them.
Wayne

3

From what I’ve seen, B&O freight car color was about the same as Pennsy freight car color, or a pretty light oxide red. Polly Scale has at least three shades that come close, depending on your tastes (remember, none of us see color exactly the same, and freight cars all weather differently, making exact paint matches meaningless). Most of the PRR proto guys use ModelFlex or other “serious” hobby paints, but Polly Scale is more readily available, and is what I prefer.

4

i have a couple of cars that are B&O red. They are very nice cars. I love the B&O.

5

Weaver has a PRR freight car red in both their Scalecoat I and II lines. You might want to check it out.

6

Another option might be to paint it somplace other than your apartment

7

Dean,
Have you tried going back to the B & O Railroad Historical Society ? :
http://www.borhs.org
Maybe someone there can suggest a mix of Polly S or other acrylic paint brand.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

8

Dean,
Ask on the B&O yahoo group- many of my questions answered by the B&O pros there.
Bob K.