I'm new to both these forums and model railroading in general. I'm looking for some advice on modeling some covered hoppers that will be used to transport both grain and raw materials for a concrete factory. Specifically I'm look for advise on the color scheme that would have been used on these cars in the 1930's. Obviously most of the pictures I'm finding of prototypes from that era are black and white. The color seem to be an oxide red. Can anyone confirm that? Any suggestions on brands/colors of paints to use? Thanks in advance for any help.
Drew, Covered Hoppers were not extant in the thirties. Grain was hauled in box cars. Raw materials used in cement manufacturing in the thirties were hauled in gondolas and finished cement was transported in bags in boxcars. Boxcars were primarily red oxide type colors and gondolas were primarily same or black.
Thanks for the information. I had a couple of cars from a previously layout I'd been planning based upon how-to book from a different time period. This was 15 years ago or more but once we started having kids my hobbies took a back seat and the kits have been sitting on the shelf since then. I'll change my plans for rolling stock. I'd still love some advice on specific brands of paints and colors to match well, if anyone has any. If you have any specific resources you can recommend on train operations during that time period I'd appreciate it.
Scalecoat paint is still the preferred brand by the more serious modelers I know who paint their rolling stock. It does take a few days to fully cure. Trucolor is another brand that is recommended. There are others on this forum that can better answer questions about operations in the 30's.
