Color of NYC El Structures 1910-40?

Most of the research I've done for this period shows black'white structures.  I doubt this is helpful.

Alan

I'm trying to remember back to when I rode them, including the 3rd Ave El.  I do not recall the color of the structures, but I don't recall them as black black.

You might write the NYC MTA and ask.  But do bear in mind that the NYC "subway" system was 3 independent companies--Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT); Brooklyn-Manhatant Transit (BMT); Independent (IND)--and they may have had different colors. 

interesting...I would have thought they would be that victorian green.

But thats fine. Thanks

Chipset, I'm inclined to agree that they were green.

Check with the NJ Highrailers. It is my understanding that someone went up a girder and actually got an old paint chip which they had duplicated. I am sure Ben or John will pipe in now that the Giant game is over.

I think Ben will verify w me that the current color used in the NYC EL is a Rustoleum Hunt Club Green which is very similar to Hunter green.

Jim r from www.bridgeboss.com

Yup the color we used on ours was Hunt Club Green but I think that color was introduced later than 1940.  Even today there are a number of colors in play on different El Structures.  The Flushing line used to be painted Dodger Blue The Culver line s painted Hunt club green as are many other lines.  Other lines are pinted a dull beige color which I believe is the oldest   When the subway system was three different companies each had their own  Most of them started as that brownish beige color  Steel dust and grime make them look black but I don't believe any of them were painted black.

You can see that beige color in these pics

This one is B&W but you can see the lighter color of the flyover

 You can see the green in this one

I think you'll find that the green color was in Brooklyn, where the BMT line went above ground.

I seem to remember the 3rd Ave El being a rusty, faded black.

Thanks guys! Now I need to just locate some water based paints in one of those colors, but I guess I can spray paint the plastic EL girder sides I have.

I sort of remember the color to be a sort of Dark Olive green but as Ben noted, there was plenty of steel dust and grime so weathering would be in order. Some columns might have black and white horizontal stripes maybe about 8 feet up from the street level. These were probably done at locations where the column was in the street say at an intersection and was usually a traffic visibility aid. The station buildings were probably once a coach green but might appear faded because of time, Roofs of structures and covers on the platforms and staircases were a tile red in color. The station buildings date to the victorian era so lots of gingerbread and stained glass etc. The platforms themselves were generally wood and not painted. In later years they had a white stripe at the edge for benefit of the passengers.