Union Pacific M10000 - Which color is the most prototypical for the "Golden Brown"?

Have you checked with the Union Pacific Historical Society? They are usually pretty helpful. www.uphs.com

Thanks Hot Water. Digging into what you suggested, I found the following: 

1934-1937 - Armour Yellow First Used

Union Pacific's first diesel fleet paint scheme was on the M-series Streamliners, which were painted in Armour Yellow and Leaf Brown, and Roman (serif) lettering. The first two of the three turret-cab Streamliners, M-10000 and M-10001 came in 1934, and the third, M-10002, came in 1936. On the earliest Streamliner, M-10000, the two-axle trucks had sheet metal covers to enhance the streamlining effect. To match the color of the upper body, these covers on M-10000 were painted Leaf Brown. The two later trains had exposed two-axle trucks, also painted Leaf Brown.

"Leaf Brown" is apparently the special color that was also used to paint the wheels/trucks covers. Now, the question is where do I find Leaf Brown in Railroad paints for models? Scalecoat/Minuteman? They do not even carry the UP Armour Yellow.... :-(

Yves

Maybe that is the answer.... I have never used the True Color brand: 

Yves

Does it MATTER if the color is "prototypical"?  Can't tell by b&w photos----Nobody alive who really knows.  Nobody to call you on it.  Why not make it easy?  Just suit yourself! -Salty Rails-

Yves,

I like using True-Color.  To me it's exactly like working with lacquer.  I thin it 50-50.

Just like lacquer it needs good surface prep.  I use a lacquer primer.  Some guys like to etch the surface with abrasives (very low pressue sand blasting).  I use their thinner for thinning and a mixture of lacquer thinner and acetone for cleanup.  I do this because we can no longer get decent thinner in California.

Jay

Salty Rails posted:

Does it MATTER if the color is "prototypical"?  Can't tell by b&w photos----Nobody alive who really knows.  Nobody to call you on it.  Why not make it easy?  Just suit yourself! -Salty Rails-

Well, just my opinion but, if one doesn't model an item correct to prototype for one's self, then just what the he** is the point???

Hot Water posted:

Well, just my opinion but, if one doesn't model an item correct to prototype for one's self, then just what the he** is the point???

Sounds a bit hypocritical coming from a guy who used 3 rails.

As for the paint, True Color looks like the answer to me.

Simon

Yves posted:

Folks,

I am thinking about painting and decal-ing my 3 units M10000 once I get it to run satisfactorily.

The original UP brochure described that streamliner with two colors: Yellow Canary and Golden Brown.

For the yellow canary, I can probably use the current UP Armour Yellow but I am wondering what I should use for the so called "Golden Brown"? Any suggestions?

Also, I was wondering what is the color of the fairings on the side of the trucks? Sunset painted them in Yellow whereas other manufacturers painted them in Brown. From the historical B/W pictures it is hard to say, although they shine differently from the body of the cars.

Yves

Yellow fairings? Don't recall seeing any images like that, the Leaf Brown continues the streamline look.

Hot Water posted:

Salty Rails posted:

Does it MATTER if the color is "prototypical"?  Can't tell by b&w photos----Nobody alive who really knows.  Nobody to call you on it.  Why not make it easy?  Just suit yourself! -Salty Rails-

Well, just my opinion but, if one doesn't model an item correct to prototype for one's self, then just what the he** is the point???

If you DON'T KNOW the exact shade of color, and nobody alive does either----then who declares WHAT IS CORRECT?  Is there some "rail fan medium of decades past" with a color chart that you can hire? -Salty Rails-

Salty Rails posted:

Hot Water posted:

Salty Rails posted:

Does it MATTER if the color is "prototypical"?  Can't tell by b&w photos----Nobody alive who really knows.  Nobody to call you on it.  Why not make it easy?  Just suit yourself! -Salty Rails-

Well, just my opinion but, if one doesn't model an item correct to prototype for one's self, then just what the he** is the point???

If you DON'T KNOW the exact shade of color, and nobody alive does either----then who declares WHAT IS CORRECT?  Is there some "rail fan medium of decades past" with a color chart that you can hire? -Salty Rails-

Well, I'd be willing to bet that the Union Pacific Historical Society has just such a "color chart", if anyone bothered to enquire.

Hot Water posted:

Salty Rails posted:

Hot Water posted:

Salty Rails posted:

Does it MATTER if the color is "prototypical"?  Can't tell by b&w photos----Nobody alive who really knows.  Nobody to call you on it.  Why not make it easy?  Just suit yourself! -Salty Rails-

Well, just my opinion but, if one doesn't model an item correct to prototype for one's self, then just what the he** is the point???

If you DON'T KNOW the exact shade of color, and nobody alive does either----then who declares WHAT IS CORRECT?  Is there some "rail fan medium of decades past" with a color chart that you can hire? -Salty Rails-

Well, I'd be willing to bet that the Union Pacific Historical Society has just such a "color chart", if anyone bothered to enquire.

Let's not inject realism into the argument

Hot Water posted

Well, I'd be willing to bet that the Union Pacific Historical Society has just such a "color chart", if anyone bothered to enquire.

Can't see how you would go wrong by doing that!  You got my second on that idea.

Simon

According to Don Strack's UtahRails site, the fairing on the M-10000 trucks, as well as trucks without fairing for all other M-1000* power units and at least the E2's, were painted Leaf Brown to match the upper car body color.

Jim

Simon Winter posted:

Hot Water posted

Well, I'd be willing to bet that the Union Pacific Historical Society has just such a "color chart", if anyone bothered to enquire.

Can't see how you would go wrong by doing that!  You got my second on that idea.

Simon

Except...

Then no one will be able to prove your color choice is incorrect.

Simon

Simon Winter posted:

Then no one will be able to prove your color choice is incorrect.

Simon

Didn't somebody already declare THAT?  Heh heh heh!  The paint cops won't have a clue! -Salty Rails-

Now just one minisle....there is that railfan medium of decades past! LOL

Simon