Hey All, I just ran across this post: http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/paint-forumlas-and-tips.844/ and noticed this, "Little known---the 183 class 4-4-0s, the 1100 class 4-6-0s (most), 1500s (many) were painted pullman green with dark silver smokeboxes and smokebox fronts, and chrome-plated cylinder heads. Lettering was bronze gold, as was the number on tender side and back and the doric striping on the tenders." Accoding to Lee Buffington, only two of the 183 class units were painted green. I won't dispute the others because I wasn't there. The green was supposedly not Pullman Green, but somewhere between a Southern green and Pullman Green. But definitely brighter than Pullmand green when fresh from the paint shop." According to the "All Aboard" Vol.11 No.1, 1997, Published by the late Frisco Museum, thirteen locomotives recieved some variation of semi-streamlining. It talks about the colors of the skirts, but not whether any of them were also painted blue like the Fireflys or anything other than black. Can anyone confirm any colors than black, or better yet, have photos, etc? I have a copy of "Frisco Power" coming, but it is the older one with the blue cover. I'm not sure if it has the color section or even if that section would speak to the current question. Any help would be appreciated. Brett
Re: Steam Loco Colors?! A partial answer I just received my copy of Joe Collias' "Frisco Power". He mentions three classes of Steam Locos that were painted any thing but black. American 4-4-0 Nos. 183 and 187 received a "dark green" paint job in 1927 after some modernization by the Springfield Shops. Then of course the streamlined Fireflys Nos. 1018, 1026, & 1031. The last series mentioned was Northerns Nos. 4500, 4501, & 4502 which were painted Zephyr Blue as well. This was short lived and not too long after were repainted black. After the advent of the Doric striping on the 1500s, several classes received gold stripes when assigned to passenger service, but no mention is made of any other color than gloss black with gold numbers and striping. Brett
Joe Collias' book will help a lot. You are speaking of two different things, painting other than black, and streamlining. All of the 1060 class had some streamlining, one 1500 had some, the three Firefly locos had steamlining and blue paint, the 1034 and the 1036 had black paint but some streamlining, and the three passenger 4500s had blue paint, and two 182 class locos had a green paint. Only the Firefly locos had complete streamlining; the others that were "streamlined" had bands of stainless steel trimmed in various paint running from pilot to cab, with most [all except the 1034] having the band continue along the tenders. Anyhow, that's how I remember them.
Joe Collias' book will help a lot. You are speaking of two different things, painting other than black, and streamlining. All of the 1060 class had some streamlining, one 1500 had some, the three Firefly locos had steamlining and blue paint, the 1034 and the 1036 had black paint but some streamlining, and the three passenger 4500s had blue paint, and two 182 class locos had a green paint. Only the Firefly locos had complete streamlining; the others that were "streamlined" had bands of stainless steel trimmed in various paint running from pilot to cab, with most [all except the 1034] having the band continue along the tenders. Anyhow, that's how I remember them.
Hi...Need some clarification as I'm a bit confused I have an IHC Firefly #1066. Where all engines in this series blue? Does anyone make the full stramlined version? Are there any turtle back heavweights offered by any of the model companies? Thanks!!
1066 was a "Hudson" (4-6-4). The original bullet-nosed Firefly engines (1018, 1026 & 1031) were blue 4-6-2 Pacifics. The 1060 semi-streamlined Hudsons were generally black with varying degrees of decoration. Several various engine types were called on to pull the Firefly other than the originals from time to time and conversely, the Firefly engines were used elsewhere on the RR occasionally. This chat board has some real steam engine experts that can break all this down much finer than I can do. Tom
Bob - Did some searching but could not find any product info or pics on this one - do you have a photo you can take and upload to the "Models" section? If IHC's semi-streamlined Hudson 1062 is any indicator, it's a bit off. I'll echo what Tom said (i.e. both Pacifics-only in "Firefly" streamlining and a lot better experts than I). On the plus side, IHC's 1062 is a pretty good fill-in for a 1050-class pacific with Cole trailing truck. It's taking me a few years to get it there but progress, not perfection!
Hi...Does anyone make a streamlined Firefly locomotive in HO? It seems like such a natural, but I've been looking for sometime now and I can't find one.
It's been produced in brass by Sunset, but expect to pay a pretty penny for it if you find one for sale. I don't know what a "fair value" would be, but the most recent sale price I found online is rather breathtaking: http://www.brasstrains.com/product_detail.php?p=008520 Bradley A. Scott
Ok! I see alot of people talking about the paint color ZEPHYR BLUE, can anyone please clarify what color that actually is and where I can find it? I have searched the WWW, Walthers, Ebay, and every hobby shop I can find looking for ZEPHYR BLUE, and I get looked at like a monkey doing a math problem. Also can someone please tell me the problems with the Hallmark Models Brass 4500 4-8-4's? I am looking at buying one soon and If not that one Glacier Park Models is importing a FRISCO 4-8-4 4500 series Factory Painted delivery expected in the spring of 2009. They cost around $1600.00 from what I was told. I hope they are worth it!
Wow, I had no idea the Firefly model was so expensive these days. I've been looking for one for two years but haven't been successful. The first problem is finding one for sale. Good luck to those who are pursuing one, too. mike
Closest thing I could find that everyone agreed looks correct is Floquil's C&O Enchantment Blue. I think they may have discontinued it. If you can afford it, definitely get one of the Glacier Park models. You won't believe the work that is going into that model and how much research Jimmy has done to get it correct. Hallmark's is a POS! Take it from one who has had to totally rebuild three of them and build new tenders for them. They were awful! It's amusing that folks are paying super prices now for the Sunset streamlined 4-6-2s. Those were my project with Sunset and Mort Mann was mad at me because they didn't sell very good. I've seen them go for $1300 on ebay painted. I think I'll keep mine.
Howdy Don, Do you have photos of your Firefly that you can post? At least we could drool a bit until we are lucky enough to find one. Best, mike
These aren't the best shots in the world. I'm thinking about going with a gold stripe instead of red on this after seeing a movie and the color shot in the Museum's edition of Joe's book. I have too many things going right now to worry about it.
Thanks to everyone who responded! I actually was able to find C & O Enchantment Blue and bought a bottle. I also ended up purchasing a Hallmark 4500 class 4-8-4. SO far mine seems to run really nice. It is painted and awaiting my order of oddball decals so I can start finishing her up. I have also started the benchwork on my wife and I's 16 X 24 layout. SO outside of running back and forth to the hobby shop for more flex track. We are off to a pretty good start. I am looking forward to the first run of a FRISCO train on my very own lay-out. I will be sure to post pictures as I make progress! SHIP IT ON THE FRISCO! FRISCO4503|-|
