Chicago Great Western paint

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

any ideas on what color or colors of Floquil or Modelflex paint comes closest to the CGW’s maroonish brown color? or does anybody make any paint in the CGW’s color palette? any help would be great.

2

This is obviously of limited help but about 5 years ago Jeff Wilson (I am pretty sure) did a full article for MR on painting the Great Weedy’s F units in both the red and maroon. Maybe the index would help. Short of that, there was a recent article in the Chicago & North Western Historical Society;'s magazine on painting a CGW SD40. Maybe your hobby shop has the issue?
Dave Nelson

3

Dave Nelson suggested Jeff Wilson’s article, and here’s the citation from our online idex:

Chicago Great Western F3s
Model Railroader, October 1998 page 126
HO models in both red and maroon schemes
( CGW, DIESEL, EMD, F-UNIT, F3, PAINT, PAINTSHOP, SUPERDETAIL,
“WILSON, JEFF”, ENGINE, LOCOMOTIVE, MR )

He didn’t use Floquil or Modelflex, however. He painted his models with Polly Scale. For the CGW maroon he mixed six parts Polly Scale PRR Tuscan, one part CSX Blue and one part Reefer White. He also did some units in the solid red, using straight Polly Scale Caboose Red.

So long,

Andy

4

thanks for the info, i’ll give it a try. i was kinda confused, some of the photos i’ve been looking at seem more browni***han maroon.

1st time poster, fast response, fun and painless. i’m sure to return. thanks again

ai

5

I know what you mean about the CGW photos. I think some of the color book publishers, such as Morning Sun, use a process that tends to unify colors on slides that are older and have suffered some fading, so sometimes they cannot be relied on 100%. Also remember what flourescent lighting does to colors as opposed to the natural sunlight of the real world.
ai: Are you a member of the Chciago & North Western Historical Society? They publish a fair amount of CGW material and have lots of resources available to help a CGW modeler.
Dave Nelson

6

Hi there!
Regarding the CGW and her paints, the faded brown paint that fades to maroon over time and exposure, is a “left-over” from the original as-delivered brown, red and yellow striped untis.
Later, the solid red paint scheme replaced that, which also fades to a "pinkish-red with time and exposure.