Historic Depot Paint Colors, Paint Liveries Or Paint Schemes - Exterior And Interior - Inquiry

Discussion in 'General' started by Bradley A. Scott, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. Did the Frisco have a standard color scheme for its wooden depots?

    I'm primarily interested in the period from about 1920 until 1952, but any information would be appreciated.

    Here is what I have come across so far:

    I looked through some of the images at the following web site.

    www.missouridepots.com.

    The color pictures from the 1950s suggest that gray with white trim was the most common color scheme at that time, but many depots appear to be a solid medium/weathered gray.

    What is the actual paint color?

    Had the white trim simply weathered into oblivion?

    Older photographs, of course, are mostly black and white, which does not tell me much about the paint colors.

    Were there different color schemes that were used at different periods?

    Thanks in advance for any information.

    Bradley A. Scott
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2024
  2. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Bradley,

    I hope a nearly two-year late reply is not too late but I did not see a reply here.

    Frisco4301's threat "A Trip Down the Current River Branch" shows a good color photograph of a standard SL-SF wood depot, in this case at Winona, MO.

    http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=4785&d=1189644019

    When I first threw together a styrene Frisco wooden depot, I was quite satisfied with a can of Testor's battleship gray, a bottle of standard white, do not remember the brand, for trim, and some green craft acrylic with weathering chalks on the masking tape tarpaper roof.

    The gray may have been too dark but I felt it was good enough.
     
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  3. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    As a kid in the late 1940s, early 1950s, I remember the gray with white trim at Turner Station, MO southeast of Springfield, MO.

    I also remember some of the other stations in the area as gray with a very dark green trim.

    Sometimes the gray seemed darker, but I think that was weathering darker and fading lighter.

    In the Depots and Structures section, the photographs of Stoutland, MO, right picture, and Seymour, MO are examples of the gray with white trim.

    The photograph of Strafford, MO (mis-spelled) is the older gray with dark green trim.

    Tom
     
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  4. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    Although I looked through all the pictures in the depot section, there are very few indoor photographs.

    What did the interior of the average small town, frame structure Frisco depot look like?

    Were the walls plaster, wall paper or individual boards?

    Was there wainscot?

    How about the ceilings - plaster, pressed tin or other?

    Hardwood floors?

    What about trim?

    What colors were used inside?

    Any information would be appreciated.

    James
     
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  5. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    OK guys, since there are not any replies to my post yet, take a look at the Liberal, MO depot pictures.

    It shows vertical wainscot, horizontal boards above that. The wainscot and horizontal boards appear to be the same width of lumber, maybe 3"-4" wide.

    The ceiling appears to be a smaller width, perhaps 2" wide stock that I would call car siding or bead board. All of the interior is painted white.

    Is this typical?

    Was the white paint from the later years of the Frisco?

    The way it is peeling might suggest that the wainscot was originally stained, not painted.

    I am building a small depot for my live steam railroad and would like to approximate the correct interior for a small town Frisco depot.

    I remember seeing the outside of the Marshfield, MO depot when I was a kid, but never got to look inside. :(

    Any help on the subject would be appreciated.

    Thanks!

    James
     
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  6. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    Seeing all Karl's depot plan posts got me interested in looking back through my 1950s standard plans book.

    The depots in it are all small replacement type structures and I do not know if any were ever built to these plans. I notice that the plans do have a color paint schedule if anyone is still interested.

    1958 depot paint colors schedule - Exterior colors.

    All paints Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company.

    Roof - 2 coats Green, 8-22
    Walls-Doors - 2 coats Gray, 8-5
    Windows and Doors Trim - 2 coats White, 1-352
    Eaves and Verge - 2 coats White, 1-352
     
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  7. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I looked at pictures of some of the larger towns in my area.

    Looks like Golden City, MO has some sort of a light blue color. Lamar, MO and Lockwood, MO I think are also in the light blue category.

    But the Iantha, MO depot is a light shade of olive green. :confused:
     
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  8. w3hodoug (Doug Hughes RIP 03/24/2021)

    w3hodoug (Doug Hughes RIP 03/24/2021) 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Dixon, MO from a Don Wirth negative posted under stations here on frisco.org

    The gray has a touch of blue, which makes it quite attractive.

    The white trim is striking against it.

    Doug
     

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  9. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    What about interior colors?

    I think the only color interior picture I have seen appeared to be white.

    Any fancy trim or unusual features for the interior?

    James
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2024
  10. john

    john FRISCO.org Supporter

    1958 depot paint colors schedule - Interior colors.

    All paints are Pittsburg Plate Glass Company.

    Ceilings - 2 coats 1/2 White, 27-109, 1/2 Ivory, 25-175
    Walls - 2 coats Ivory, 25-175
    Doors and Woodwork - 2 coats Dark Oak, 3-26
     
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  11. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    Thank you!

    James
     
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  12. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I realize that this 3 years old, but I am wondering if any one might now have an answer as to "standard" Frisco depot interior colors?

    And would it apply to the stone depots as well?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2024
  13. SAFN SAAP

    SAFN SAAP Member

    Most pictures that I have seen of interior shots that are in color, seem to be depot buff with either a orbsonia green or a reddish brown color, like walnut or teak.

    It is important to remember that depots, especially at the turn of the century, needed as much light inside as possible; therefore, light coloring was a big aid in doing that.

    Some depots that I see have a chair rail diving the walls. Same color above and below the rail, but the rail is painted another color, usually matching door and window trim.

    Others have tongue & groove below the chair rail and that is stained or painted. I do not think you will go wrong with either, but a picture of a depot interior would go handy with yours and my projects.

    Just my 3 cents at the current rate of inflation.

    Manny
     
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  14. friscomike

    friscomike Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Howdy folks,

    There is a depot completely preserved in southwestern Oklahoma in the town of Frederick.

    The depot was moved offline before the BN destroyed it. The depot was preserved along with all its furniture and equipment. The local historical society has done a nice job preserving it as it was.

    Here is a link to their website and a few photos.

    http://tillmanokhistory.org/townsite/friscodepot.htm.

    The color used on the interior appears to be pale green.

    If anyone is nearby Frederick, OK perhaps they could swing by and take a few more color photographs to share.

    That would be terrific.

    Best,

    Mike
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2024
  15. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Jeff and I were in Frederick, OK during April of this year.

    The gate was open to the museum, so we wandered in. We grabbed a few shots before we had to leave. One of the county workers had opened the gate for a brief moment. He was kind enough to let us have a quick look before he had to leave and lock-up things. Did not have a chance to go inside, but I did get this shot through the window of the waiting room.

    The depot is well-maintained.

    If anyone is in the area, be sure to stop by.
     

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  16. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks.

    I thought there might be some new information available.

    I went through all of the All Aboards that Mike Condren has online.

    Again, very little as to the interior construction except for bead board interiors.

    Nothing "standard" about the depots. All seemed to have varying interior heights, various roof pitches, windows, etc. At least when first built.

    Maybe some standardization occurred when rebuilt after a fire.

    And it seems that just about every depot just on the Clinton Subdivision was different in one aspect or another.
     
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  17. FriscoFriend (Bob Hoover RIP 4/12/2018)

    FriscoFriend (Bob Hoover RIP 4/12/2018) Passed Away April 12, 2018 Frisco.org Supporter

    What model paints have any of you used to replicate these colors?

    I would prefer to use acrylics if possible.

    Of course I would assume the white is a no brainer, Reefer White.
     
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  18. Oldguy

    Oldguy Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Roof paint? Hmmm.

    Looks as from the above photographs, that was a local color option as well.

    And a million thanks to John for the interior color palate.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2024
  19. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    Glad to see the pictures along with the information.

    I ended up using bead board inside my depot, painted off white, similar to the picture of the Liberal, MO depot interior that I mentioned.

    I went with a laminate floor with a somewhat dark finish to approximate the look of an old hardwood floor.

    Manny,

    You are right about needing the light color for the interior.

    At night, I light all three oil lamps inside the depot and it is still very dim compared to modern lighting. The oil lamps put off a lot of heat and fumes, too!

    I guess that just adds to the old time atmosphere.
     
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  20. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Would they paint a roof?

    Or would it be some color of roofing material?

    Tom G.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 21, 2024

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