Isabella Flores
CB&Q locomotives and freight units were painted in a variety of colours, including red, silver, imitation aluminium, and greyback, which some describe as white, off-white, or cream. While there is no exact match for the paint used, model railroad enthusiasts have attempted to replicate the colours using custom mixes of off-the-shelf paints. Modern colour-matching technology can match over 2.2 million colours, so it may be possible to replicate the paint used on CB&Q trains by providing a physical sample.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| CB&Q locomotive paint colour | Chinese red, silver, imitation aluminium, white, cream, off-white, dove gray, grayback, or orange |
| CB&Q freight colour | Imitation aluminium, white, cream, off-white |
| Close paint colour matches | Badger Modelflex #165-16193 CB&Q Imitation Aluminum, Scale Coat #68 CP Gray, Reefer White with a couple of drops of black |
| Valspar colour-matching technology | Can match over 2.2 million colours from a sample as small as a sugar cube |
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What You'll Learn
- CB&Q locomotives were painted in a Chinese red scheme
- The closest match to CB&Q's silver is Scale Coat #68 CP Gray
- CB&Q used two different paint schemes: silver and imitation aluminium
- CB&Q freight colour is hard to replicate, even with Modelflex colours
- B&Q offers a range of grey shades and tones for home decor
CB&Q locomotives were painted in a Chinese red scheme
The Chinese red paint scheme was used on both freight and passenger locomotives, with the former often painted in a grey or aluminium colour to resemble stainless steel. The shade of grey used for these locomotives is another point of contention, with some describing it as a greyback that appears almost white, while others suggest a dove grey or beige. The lighting conditions under which these locomotives are viewed can significantly impact the perceived colour.
The CB&Q Chinese red scheme is popular among model train manufacturers, with several companies producing replicas in this colour. These include Broadway, offering a range of CB&Q model train locomotives in the Chinese red scheme, such as their EMD GP35 and USRA Heavy Mikado models. Bowser also manufactures a CB&Q U25b locomotive in Chinese red.
While the exact paint formula for the CB&Q Chinese red is not publicly available, enthusiasts have experimented with mixing colours to achieve a similar effect. One suggested mixture includes reefer white, weathered black, engine black, and armour yellow in specific proportions. However, the results may vary, and the colour may differ slightly from the original due to weathering and fading over time.
The CB&Q Chinese red scheme is a distinctive and recognisable feature of their locomotives, and while replicating the exact colour is challenging, model train enthusiasts continue to refine their techniques and colour-matching processes to get as close as possible to the original.
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The closest match to CB&Q's silver is Scale Coat #68 CP Gray
CB&Q used two different paint schemes. They used silver primarily for their passenger engines, while freight engines were painted in imitation aluminium, which presents as white, cream, or off-white. This colour scheme was likely an attempt to replicate the bare aluminium silver colour of the Silver Streak Zephyr locomotive.
The closest match to CB&Q silver is Scale Coat #68 CP Gray. This paint was specifically mentioned in the context of model trains, so it is likely a good match for the CB&Q locomotive colour scheme.
It is worth noting that achieving an exact colour match can be challenging due to variations in lighting conditions and the fact that paint shops may use unique formulas for their mixes. Additionally, weathering can also affect the final appearance of the paint.
Some people have attempted to mix their own paint to match the CB&Q freight colour by combining Modelflex colours: Reefer White, Weathered Black, Engine Black, and Armour Yellow. However, it is difficult to achieve an exact match to Kato's colour, as they use custom mixes and dyes.
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CB&Q used two different paint schemes: silver and imitation aluminium
The closest paint match for the imitation aluminium colour is Badger Modelflex #165-16193 CB&Q Imitation Aluminium. However, as aluminium is one of those "colours" that look very different under different types of light, there is still much disagreement and confusion on the subject. Some people have suggested that the colour is more of a beige or "cream" than a grey. In the past, it was thought that the correct paint for the imitation aluminium colour was Scale Coat #68 CP Gray, or a mixture of reefer white with a couple of drops of black.
The Kato factory paint colour used for CB&Q engines is also difficult to replicate, and the suggested colours for the CB&Q freight colour are not close to the Kato colour. One person has attempted to mix their own colour using Modelflex paints, but this is not an exact match either.
It is worth noting that the Pioneer Zephyr (#9900) in the Museum of Science and Industry is not painted aluminium; it is stainless steel, as were all the "shovel nose" Zephyrs (#9900-9908). When the Q took delivery of their E-5's, they were also primarily stainless steel. However, later passenger units were, in some cases, painted to resemble the stainless units. The freight diesels, FT through F7's, were painted in a "grayback" colour, which some say looks more white than grey.
For those seeking an exact paint match, Valspar offers colour-matching technology that can match over 2.2 million colours from a sample as small as a sugar cube.
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CB&Q freight colour is hard to replicate, even with Modelflex colours
The CB&Q freight colour is challenging to replicate, even with Modelflex colours. The freight colour is described as "Imitation Aluminium," which can appear white, cream, off-white, or even a whitish silver or dove grey, depending on the lighting conditions. This makes it difficult to match with standard paint colours.
While Badger Modelflex does offer a colour called "#165-16193 CB&Q Imitation Aluminum," it is still challenging to get an exact match due to the variability of aluminium under different types of light. Some people have tried mixing their own colours using Modelflex paints, such as reefer white with a few drops of black or a combination of reefer white, engine black, weathered black, and armour yellow. However, even with these custom mixes, it is challenging to perfectly replicate the unique colour of CB&Q freight.
The colour variation may also be due to the paint shop's formula, as paint mixes can always look slightly different. Additionally, weathering can also play a role in the final appearance of the paint, further complicating the replication process.
Furthermore, CB&Q used two different paint schemes, adding to the confusion. While they primarily used "silver" for passenger engines, the freight colour was the unique "Imitation Aluminium" shade. This distinction makes it even more challenging to find an exact match for the freight colour, especially when trying to replicate the colour used by Kato to paint their factory-painted CB&Q engines.
Overall, while Modelflex colours provide some options for replicating CB&Q freight colour, the unique lighting effects of aluminium and the potential for custom paint mixes make it a challenging task to achieve an exact match.
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B&Q offers a range of grey shades and tones for home decor
B&Q offers an extensive range of grey shades and tones for home decor. Grey is a popular colour choice and can complement any room and decor. Whether you prefer a light or dark grey, B&Q has a variety of finishes to help you achieve the perfect look.
For those seeking a specific grey shade, B&Q offers a colour-matching service in collaboration with Valspar. This service can match over 2.2 million colours, requiring only a sample as small as a sugar cube. If you are unhappy with the colour, Valspar's Love Your Colour Guarantee promises a refund so you can choose another.
If you are looking for a paint that matches the CB&Q grey, you may have difficulty finding an exact match. Sources indicate that the CB&Q colour is a type of off-white, cream, or "imitation aluminium" that appears differently under various lighting conditions. Some suggestions for achieving this colour include using Badger Modelflex #165-16193 CB&Q Imitation Aluminum, Scale Coat #68 CP Gray, or a mixture of Reefer White with a few drops of black paint.
Ultimately, achieving the perfect shade of grey may require some experimentation and personal preference. B&Q's range of grey paints and colour-matching services provide a solid starting point for any home decor project.
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Frequently asked questions
CB&Q used two different paint schemes. The freight color was "imitation aluminum", which can appear as white, cream, or off-white depending on the lighting. The passenger engine color was primarily silver. While there may not be an exact paint match for the freight color, you can try Scale Coat #68 CP Gray or create your own mix with reefer white and a couple of drops of black.
The CB&Q freight color is often described as "imitation aluminum" or aluminum, which can appear as a white, cream, or off-white color depending on the lighting conditions.
A close color match for the CB&Q freight color is Scale Coat #68 CP Gray. You can also try mixing reefer white with a couple of drops of black.
Replicating the Kato color used for CB&Q engines can be challenging as it may not match the suggested colors for the CB&Q freight color. A possible solution is to mix 1/3 oz of reefer white with 3 drops each of weathered black and engine black, and 24 drops of armour yellow.
