1

Prior to the late 1940s, the M-40-Dspecification was an overall documentwhich covered all Mechanical Depart-ment color shades and their usage (Ca-nadians should note that the documentspelled "color" without a "u", hence thespelling used in this article). While theM-40-D document has survived, its ac-companying'lMet Standard Samples"(which were actually small tins of wetpaint) have not. As well, the survivingcopies of the M-40-D document seen bythe author are missing Sheet No. 8which is the #106 color. By process ofelimination, this would have to be ei-ther the Imitation Gold Bronze (metal-

lic) or the Imitation Gold (non-metallic)color then in use to letter locomotivesand passenger cars.

In the late 1940s, this overall speci-fication evolved into a number of newspecifications in the 4?0-series (for ex-ample specification No. 470-2 coveredMineral Brown in Oil). These new speci-fications were designed to address par-ticular paint chemistry considerationsbut not necessarily to address the usageof particular color shades. From thattime period forward it appears that otherforms of documentation were distrib-uted by CN to the various railway shopsand outside builders specifying whichcolor shades went on what equipment.Unfortunately, these records have notturned up (other than some paintingand stencilling diagrams which are of-ten non-specific as to color numbers).Therefore, deductive reasoning was ap-plied (explained below) to reach some ofthe conclusions in this studY.

After 1954, the use of the wet stan-dard samples ceased and typical paintindustry "drifts" or "chips" were distrib-uted which were built around a new CNstandard color numbering system. Intime, this permitted the evolution of amuch wider color CN palette (particu-

larly after July 1968 when a host of newcolors was introduced and some of theold standbys were eliminated). In carry-ing out this study, I managed to borrowCN's small collection of historic paintchips. Regrettably, it was somewhat in-complete (for example, no version waskept ofYellow No. 11). I was also able toborrow a larger, more recent collectionof color chips from a local paint manu-facturer and CN's Transcona "paint

kitchen" found a few spares among its

Iimitedfiles. Also. several CN SIGmem-bers loaned some color chips in theirpossession. More recently, Don Lewislocated the original chips reproduced inthe preparation of RaiI Canada l7l.These included a chip of the elusiveoriginal February 1954 Yellow No. 11.

In their original form, multiple cop-ies of these color chips were prepared onthin sheets of steel about 2 U2 bY 4inches withrounded corners. These weremarked on the back as to the paintnumber (e.g., CNR Red No. 10). ChiPswere distributed to paint manufactur-ers in tight fitting envelopes which de-noted both the color number and issuedate. The metal chips were supplantedby cardstock versions after about 1960and, from time-to-time, further suppliesof the standard chips were obtained' Inthe normal case, there was no change inthe color shade of the new chip supply(i.e., the color was the color). However,in a couple of instances (e.9., OrangeNo. 11 after 1968 or Green No. 12 after1974), the shade was visibly altered.CN's historic paint chips were, in effect,master or control copies. Therefore theywere of assistance in piecing togetherthe story as they indicated when colorswere withdrawn or were revised (i.e.,

reissued).

Color Matching and PreservationAs indicated in priorCN,L ines l2l FreightCar Corner columns on this topic, theredoes not appear to be anY universalcolor matching system which is entirelyuseful. Therefore, essentially two thingshave been done to preserve a record.

First, the borrowed color chips werematchedto a Pantone Matching Systemguide. This is a standard color guideused in the graphics art trade which isalso used in computer graphics. Whilean interesting exercise, the results areonly a rough guide at best. There aresimply too many offrcial CN colors whichare only approximated by Pantone's colordesignation system. In the end, thePantone system is basically like using aruler with lines which are too wideapart for the measurement accuracyrequired.

Second, analysis of the various CNofficial color chips was made using alocal paint store's computerized spec-trophotometer equipment. The particu-Iar equipment used was "Colorgen In-

corporated DCM-110 Color MatchingSystem".Itis based around 12 standardpigments (black, oxide red, yellow ox-ide, thalo blue, thalo green, yellow green,magenta, Iemon yellow, rich orange,permanentred, white, andneutral toner)and can seemingly match most colorshades quite closely. One problemthough is that there can be a number ofalternate "acceptable" matches gener-ated by the system using different pig-ments in different ratios. Thus, it isn'tpossible to compare a seemingly closemodel paint directly to the prototypepaint chip as different pigments gettossed into the mix by the system andthere is no way of getting from paint Ato paint B.

Given cost considerations, the sevenmore critical historic CN colors wereselected from the classic pre-1961 (i.e.,

steam-diesel transition) era. A match-ing quart of gloss exterior enamel waspreparedbythe paint store. This lnatch-ing paint was applied to a surface andcompared to the offrcial CN chip in dif-fused sunlight. The views of severalfamily members and other CN modelerswere obtained respecting the accuracyand quality ofthe resultant color match.In some cases, another trY had to bemade. In the end, a quart of enamelpaint with no visible difference to theofficial color was achieved.

The enamel paint was then aPPliedto small pieces of masonite in order thataccurate chips could be distributed tosome 4 dozen model product manufac-turers. These manufacturers were se-lected on the basis that they have aninterest in Canadian prototype infor-mation and/or they are in the modelpaint or decaVdry transfer business. Inaddition, these manufacturers were pro-videdwith an earlier draft ofthis articlefor background. The ultimate objectivewas to avoid anomalies such as Athearn'sgreen on their F-7 and to achieve theprecise accuracy of, say, Red Caboose'snew O-scale GP-9 (whichwas donewithour input).

CN's Key Standard ColorsThe above text summarizes the basicmethodology used for this study. Eachof the significant CN exterior colorsidentified is summarized below. Theinformation presented is the color's nameas per the original (M-40-D) specifica-

tion, the post-1954 equivalent color, (a) All steel work equipment, suchPantone'sclosestmatchequivalentand, as snow plows, cranes, steam shovels,the colorgen pigment mix stated in ra- etc., the entire car (including houses).tio form. comments about prototype 1l1-v-Truck Enamel - Trucks forusage, any ambiguities in the study passenger equipmentdata, and some recommendations onavailable model paint and lettering col- BlackNo. 10 (April 1978 chip) - Pantoneors are also made. Guide - Process Black C

Whites and near-Whites

10g-O--White in Oil - For stencilling onfreight equipment.

White No. 10 (July 1978 chip)

This color was a pure white and assuch requires no further explanation.

Blacks

103-O-Roof Color in Oil - For roofs ofall passenger cars.

108-V--Durable Black Varnish - For lo-comotive tenders, cabs, dome covers,etc. , and special work (exposed toweather) where high gloss frnish is re-quired.

110-O-Biack Paint

Freight equipment

(a) All steel freight cars such asflat, coal, hopper, tanks, etc. (trucksincluded).

(b) All steel underframe coal cars tobe painted entirely black (trucks in-cluded).

(c) Steel underframes with deepcentre sills on such cars as box, auto,refrigerator, stock, horse, etc., (trucksincluded).

Passenger equipment

(a) Underfloors ofpassenger cars .

(b) All steel frames including gastanks, battery boxes, step frames, etc.,(step treads were a rubber tread mate-rial called "Rub-Bub").

(c) All passenger trucks.

Work equipment

These were pure deep blacks (e.g.,sometimes termed "blue-blacks" as op-posed to "brown-blacks" like asphaltum)and as such require no special documen-tation. As may be seen, different paintusages required different chemistriesand hence the variety of black paints inthe early specification.

As noted above, black was specifiedfor the exterior of many types of CNfreight cars up until the early 1940s.However, starting as early as 1943 andcertainly through the late 1940s andthereafter, the use ofblack was reducedthrough an expanded usage of MineralBrown (also known as Freight Car Redor Box Car Red in some Canadian Na-tional magazine articles). This coincidedwith the introduction of CN's maple leafmonogram which occurred in February1943. A magazine articie in the May1943 issue of Canadian Transportation[4] noted that the standard box car red"in which the car is finished has beenextended to the trucks, wheels, and allunderslung equipment, previouslypainted in black". Photographic evidencesuggests that this all Mineral Brownapproach was followed on most freightequipment after 1943. The exceptionswere tank cars, which remained black,and the grey adopted for steel refrigera-tor cars and covered hoppers. Snow-plows were painted Mineral Brown un-tii at least the 1960s (likely 1968).

Freight Car Reds

102-O--Mineral Brown in Oil - For out-side offreight cars and cabooses.

104 O & V--Floor Color in Varnish - Forpassenger car floors, heater pipes, seatlegs, etc., in the early 1940's, replacedby a shellac based paint of similarhue inthe mid-1940's.

Red No. 11 (July 1956 chip, withdrawn

July 1968) - Pantone Guide - 181C

Red No. 12 (July 1968 chip) - PantoneGuide - 483C or 175C (both with lessblack)

As discussed above, the predomi-nant CN freight car color after 1943 wasMineral Brown which was designatedRed No. 1l- after 1954. The consensus ofvarious discussions with CN employeesindicates that the basic shade was un-changed from the 1920's through toJuIy 1968 when the somewhat darkerRed No. 12 was substituted (still usedtoday). Respecting Red No. 12, the ac-tual colorinuseinlate 1993 atTransconaShops was compared with both the RedNo. 11 and Red No. 12 chips, and forwhatever reasons the color used todaywas essentially the same as the super-seded Red No. 11 chip from 1956.

The 104-0 & -V passenger car floorcolor of the earlier specifications wasvery similar to, or the same as, thestandard freight car color except for there-formulation due to the different ser-vice requirements.

Modeling-wise, ACCU-fl ex's "Light

Tuscan Oxide Red" is useful as a some-what faded or lighter version of theearlier Red No. 11. Accu-paint's No. 54Rich Oxide Brown is a somewhat darkerversion of the contemporary Red No. 12chip. Given the likelihood that therehas not been a significant color shiftfrom the Red No. 11 to the Red No. 12actually used today, the ACCU-fl ex paintwill end up being the best choice for allbut perhaps more modern-era model-ers. It should also be mentioned thatthis particular ACCU-flex color is thepaint used by Accurail in its CN andGTW steel frame box car models.

Freight Car Greys

Refrigerator Car Enamel - First intro-duced in 1943 for steel refrigerator cars.

Grey No. 11 (October 1962 chip, can-celed July 1968, not re-issued) - PantoneGuide - 416C

Grey No. 10 (May 1965 chip, canceledJuly 1968, notre-issued) - Pantone Guide- 477C

Grey No. 12 (July 1968 chip) - PantoneGuide - 424C and 417C (say a 50/50 mix)

From 1943 onwards, CN paintedthe carbodies of most of its 8-hatch steelrefrigerator cars a medium grey colorwhile the underframes and trucks re-mained Mineral Brown. Grey was asuperior color from a heat reflectionstandpoint and there was considerableexperimentation involved in developingthis grey paint (which is another story).Startingin 1953, CN also painted all itscovered hoppers the same grey colorshade. As white lettering did not con-trast well with the medium grey, redlettering was applied to both car types.

Because there were three fairly simi-lar greys used in the 1960's, this was atricky color to pin down. The analysis ofthe facts and my conclusions follow.

Of these three colors, Grey No. 11 isthe earliest available chip andthe light-est color. Further, it visually matchesavailable 1950s-era color photographyofrefrigerator and covered hopper carsbetter than the other two somewhatdarker colors. However, there was alsoa 1961-era drawing reference to GreyNo. 11 being initially specifred for pas-senger car sides on the then new blackand light grey passenger color scheme.This reference was immediately revisedto Grey No. 17 (Grey No. 17 is the post-l-961 near-white lettering grey used fordiesels, passenger equipment, caboosehandrails, etc.). Because the off-whitegrey of the 1950s-era was Grey No. 10(as discussed below), it would seem thatthere was simply an error made in refer-ring to Grey No. 11 in this 1961 draw-ing. Alternatively, it may be that theinitial concept was to use a darker greybut, after looking at the initial result,the near off-white Grey No. 17 wasconsidered preferable.

Grey No. 12 is the modern-era, greYcolor used on the cylindrical hopper carsup until fairly recently. Its initial ap-pearance in July 1968 also seems tofollow the issue date pattern displayedby both freight car red and cabooseorange where there was a color revisionin July 1968. This eliminates Grey No.12 from consideration as beingthe 1940through 1950's-era greY.

Grey No. 10 was noted in caboosestencilling diagrams of the 1950's asbeing the number of the "Special GreyEnamel" introduced in September L947to augment caboose handrail visibility.1950s- era photos indicate that this Spe-cial Grey Enamel or Grey No. 10 was anoff-white. It defrnitely was not the muchdarker Grey No. 10 of the May 1965chip. AIso, Grey No. 10 was specified ona cylindrical hopper car drawing datedin 1970 even though this color chip wascanceled in 1968.

My conclusion is that there was anearlier version of Grey No. 10 which wasessentially an off-white. This earlierGrey No. 10 was used on caboose hand-rails from about 1947 to 1961. This wassupplanted in about 1961 by Grey No.17. In 1965 a new and considerablYdarker Grey No. 10 was created forcovered hoppers and steel refrigeratorcars were being painted an aluminumor metallic silver color (likely Alumi-num No. 10) with black lettering. Thiseffectively ended the use of Grey No. 11which, as noted, is believed to be the1943 to 1961-era steel refrigerator carcolor. In 1968, Grey No. L2 was intro-duced effectively ending the use of the1965 version of Grey No. 10. Both Re-vised Grey No. 10 and Grey No. 11 wereeliminated concurrent with the intro-duction of Grey No. 12.

From a model paint viewpoint,ACCU-flex's Erie-Lackawanna Gray isthe best available proxy for Grey No. 1Lwhile post-1968 Grey No. 12 and themid-1960s-era GreyNo. 10 are bestrep-resented by L&N Gray.

Caboose Handrail and PassengerCar Side Greys

Not described in the M-40-D specifica-tion - Used for caboose handrails after1947 and for diesels and passenger carsafter 1961.

Original Grey No. 10 (assumed to havebeen issued as a metal chip circa 1954)- Pantone Guide -unknown.

GreyNo. 17 (March 1966 andJuly 1968chips are the same hue) - Pantone Guide- 4l3C and474C

As described above, the studY indi-

cates that the use of a very light, off-white grey on caboose handrails wasinitiated in 1947. Subsequent caboosestencilling diagrams confirm that thiscolor was known as Grey No. l-0 after1954. In 1961 the grey side panels ondiesel locomotives and passenger carsin the new scheme was initially speci-fied as Grey No. 10 but almost immedi-ately was revised to Grey No. 17.

Accu-paint's AP 42 CN LetteringGrey is a close match to Grey No. l'7'

Caboose, \Mork Equipment andPost-1961 Diesel Oranges

Morency Orange - For caboose body andends including cupolas, also end sills,ladders and power hand brakes but notroofs, trucks, underframe, platformsteps, platform floor, equipment box,couplers and strikers (which were Min-eral Brown).

Orange No. 10 (August 1954 chip, can-celedJuly, 1968) - Pantone Guide - 166C(slightly too light, add some black)

Orange No. 1.1 (1961 original chip) -

Pantone Guide - 165C (is a marginalmatch but needs more black)

Orange No. 11 (July 1968 chip) - PantoneGuide - falls somewhere between 172Cand 173C

Orange No. 11 (April 1978 chiP) -

Pantone Guide - l73C (is close but addsome yellow)

Orange No. 12 (September 1973 chip) -

Pantone Guide - 166C and 165C (say a50/50 mix)

Stencilling diagrams and numer-ous photos confirm the use of MorencyOrange/Orange No. 10 on cabooses from1943 to 1968. After this time, the laterJuIy 1968 version ofthe diesel orange-red (Orange No. 11) was used on ca-booses. This was also the beginning ofsteel cabooses on CN (albeit GTW formany years had various steel versionsfrom both International Car and SantaFe). Also, it appears that JulY 1968marked the introduction of Orange No.!2 for work equipment such as snow-plows, continuous welded rail cars, re-lated buffer cars (usually old twin hop-

-

pers), sand cars, etc.Orange No. 11 is the name assigned

to the post-1961 orange-red (or is it red-orange?) applied to cabooses, diesel nosesand as passenger lettering in the post-1961, pre-VIA era. This color has had atleast two revisions since its 1961 intro-duction. The original color was closer toa true orange with the 1968 versionmoving significantly towards a red hue.The 1978 version falls between the ear-lier two but to the writer's eye is closerto the 1968 version.

From a model paint perspective,Scalecoat's GN Empire Builder OrangeSC46 is an extremely close match withMorency Orange/Orange No. 10 whileFloquil's Reefer Orange RR30 is too"dark and dirty". Accu-paint's AP-18CN Red-Orange is based upon OrangeNo. 11 and is intended for contemporaryCN diesels and cabooses. Accu-paint'sAP-17 CN Orange is based upon OrangeNo. 12 and is appropriate for paintingmore recent era Russell snowplows ortrack speeders "work equipment or-ange". In ACCU-flex paints, WesternPacific Orange is the closest proxy toOrange No. 10 while D&RGW Orange isthe best choice for Orange No. 12. Noth-ing close to Orange No. 11 has beenidentifred in ACCU-flex paints.

Floquil also lists CN Orange No. 11in its product line.

Passenger Car, Diesel and SteamLocomotive Green

101-J - Body Color - For outside of allpassenger equipment and hand holds.

Green No. 11 (August 1954 and April1964 chips, canceled July, 1968) -Pantone Guide- 5815C

This color is the classic dark olivegreen applied to both passenger equip-ment and diesel and certain classes ofsteam locomotives. According to H.W."Bud" Harcus (who apprenticed as apainter and worked in the Transcona'spassenger car shops from 1-944 onwards),this color stayed the same shade for theentire period of its usage. It was also hisrecollection that the underlying specifi-cations were changed due to a shift fromvarnished to non-varnished applicationaround 1954 (i.e., concurrent with theshift from all olive green car sides to

olive green and black with imitationgold striping). The general reliability ofhis memory seems sound as the surviv-ingpaint specifications indicate a changein this color's chemistry occurringaround this time period. While therehas been some conjecture in CN Lines[2] as to a possible change in the stan-dard olive green shade occurring around1954, this seems to confirm the alter-nate evidence that the shade of olivegreen did not vary.

Accu-paint's AP 30 CN Green is anaccurate match with CN's Green No. 11(it's arguably a slight bit too dark). InACCU-flex paints, the closest match atpresent is Dark Green. ACCU-flex in-tends to issue a CN olive green withinthe next few months based on a CNGreen No. 11 chip. Scalecoat's No. 72CN Green is not close enough to CN'sGreen No. 11 to warrant its usage.

Passenger Car, Diesel and SteamLocomotive Imitation Gold or Yel-low

Imitation Gold (this color is not de-scribed in the surviving copies ofthe M-40-D specification but it or ImitationGold Bronze was likely the color on themissing page, i.e., color 106-0) -- usedon passenger cars and all locomotivelettering from perhaps 1932 and cer-tainly 1944 through 1961. It was alsoused as striping on diesel locomotivesides and passenger car sides from 1954until 1961. See also the notes on Imita-tion GoId Bronze below.

Yellow No. 11 (the February 1954chip reproduced in Rail Canada [1] anda December 1974 chip were examined inthis study) - Pantone Guide - 139C isclosest to the 1954 chip while the 1974chip is closer to 13lC.

An official chip for this critical colorproved to be very elusive to locate formany months but finally the December1974 version was obtained throughTranscona Shops. More recently, DonLewis located his 1954 (original) ver-sion in his archives. The two chips arequite close but not exact matches. Onbalance, the 1"954 chip is somewhat more"lemony" while the 1978 chip is more"mustard-like".

Regarding usage, it cannot be deter-

mined exactlywhen the earlier metallicversion of this color (see Imitation GoldBronze below) was replaced with Imita-tion Gold or Yellow No. 11 which is nota metallic paint. Certainly, the exist-ence ofimitation gold paint shades goesback a long time as CPR specified "Imi-

tation of Gold" paint for its freight loco-motives in the late 1800's. Our review ofearly CN steam locomotive and passen-ger car photos is inconclusive as thedifference betrareen a metallic imitationgold paint and a deep yellow such asImitation Gold is difficult to determinein a black and white photograph. Forthat matter, it's hard enough to telleither form of imitation gold paint fromwhite or aluminum paint which is whatthe GTW used on all its steam locomo-tives until 1938 t3l.

The drawing for the "Standard

Monogram Used on Tenders and OilElectrics" ofMay 10, 1932 called for goldlettering, lined with black on a vermil-ion (red) background on the decals or-dered through the Canadian Decalco-mania Co. The earliest color photographfound for these monograms is the Van-ishingVistas postcard ofNW-2 No. 7944in its as-delivered 1946 scheme (photoalso used on the cover of Rail Canadat1l). It clearly shows 7944's letteringand the somewhat different version ofthe locomotive monogram as the non-metallic Imitation Gold. The earliestdefinite reference to the use ofthe colorImitation Gold located is on the March4, 1946 drawing for 5-inch passengercar lettering decals discussed below.

Bud Harcus has also advised thatthe non-metallic Imitation Gold paint(outlined with 1/4" black striping) wasused to hand-Ietter passenger cars fromat least l-944 onwards while the Imita-tion Gold Bronze color was used for thepassenger car monogram decals (a 20"by 24" wafer). The onlyuse of a true goldleafpaint recalled by him for passengercars was for the car numbers or nameson both sides of the inside vestibuledoors. In Bud's frrst few years ofservice(1944 to 1946), the exterior passengercar lettering was accomplished by handusingstencils andponce patterns. There-after, the lettering was a pre-made de-cal-type similarto passenger and steamlocomotive tender herald decals. Thisrecollection has been confirmed by CNdrawing 9H-24013-B of March 4, 1946

I

which describes the S-inch passenger

lettering as being Imitation Gold decals

with a 3/16th-inch black outline.It was also Bud Harcus'recollection

that Imitation GoId, rather than the

metallic Imitation Gold Bronze, was used

for diesel and steam locomotive stripingand lettering including the raised nu-

merals. Bud worked in the Transconalocomotive shops for a year or so around

1948. It is acknowledged that the metal-

Iic Imitation Gold Bronze (later Gold

Bronze No. l-0) was used on some of the

earliest road engine diesel schemes'Accu-paint's AP 19 CN Yellow is a

fairly accurate match for either the Feb-

ruary 1954 or the Decembet 1974 vet-

sion of CN's Yellow No. 11 (again, argu-

ably it's slightly too dark). Further, based

on the presence of the two chips twentyyears apart it appears that this color

was quite consistent through the time

period of the study. Nonetheless, the

photographic record often suggests a

ionsiderably lighter color (more lemon

and less gold). This is likely due to the

vagaries of frim. Perhaps it is also the

."*lt of the much darker black and

olive green (Green No. 11) suggesting,

by contrast, that Imitation Gold'/YellowNo. 11 was somehow a lighter color

shade than it actuallY was.ACCU-flex aPParentlY intends to

issue a CN yellow within the next few

months (hopefully based on a CN Yel-

Iow No. 11 chip)' Scalecoat's No' 71 CN

Yellow again is not close enough to CN's

Yellow No. 11 to warrant its usage'To this writer's eYe, CDS Passenger,

steam locomotive and diesel locomotive

lettering is also signifrcantly lighter than

Yeilow No. 11. This has been drawn to

CDS attention and it is anticipated that

in time they will revise their lettering

shade closer to either Pantone 13LC or

139C. CDS has revised its maple leaf

green and stencil red as a consequence

of this study and has indicated its com-

mitment to this change also'

Imitation Gold Bronze or Gold

Bronze

Not described in M-40-D specification -

Used on some early road diesels' Also

apparently used on wafer monogramson locomotive tenders, passenger cars

and early diesels'

Copper Bronze No. 10 (undated metalchip from the 1950's) - Pantone Guide -

872CAs a paint shade, this color maY be

regarded as metallic version of Imita-tion Gold. It appears it was used earlier

in some applications while ImitationGold was used later on in the 1940's and

1950's. Mainline Modeler [3] indicatesthat the metallic color "No.10 Gold

Brortze" was used on CN's and GTW'searlier F-units. This is amply supportedby early photographs of these units in-

cluding some in color. Notwithstandingthe slightly different terminology, there

is little doubt that the chip of Copper

Bronze No. 10 provided is No. 10 Gold

Bronze.This metallic color was also used in

the pre-printed decals used for the "Stan-

dard Monogram on Tenders and Oil

Electrics" (frrst issued in 1932) and the

smaller "standard Monogram - Passen-ger Cars" (issued in 1937). Bud Harcus

iecaiis the passenger car monogram (also

used on diesel switchers after 1951) as

being the metallic Imitation Gold Bronze

version up until 1954. Photographicevidence from as early as 1946 (in par-

ticular the previously mentioned color

photo of NW-2 No. 7944) suggests that

lh" ttott-*"ta11ic version of Imitation

Gold was used in decal monograms from

that time period. Certainly, color photos

from the 1950s suggest steam locomo-

tive monograms were not the metallic

Imitation Gold Bronze during that era'

Gold Leaf

Not described in M-40-D specification -

Gold leaf applied with a "gold size" (i'e'

a varnish). Bud Harcus has indicated

that this actual gold material was ap-

plied to the interior door numbers or car

names on both sides of passenger car

interior vestibule doors.

Copper Bronze No. 12 (undated metal

chip from the 1950's) - Pantone Guide -

871C seems to have been used to suP-

plant true gold leaf.Thin metallic gold leaf was an ex-

pensive material and difficult to apply'

Bud Harcus has advised that it was

applied by frrst painting on a "gold size"(a

-clear varnish with a bit of yellow

pigment for visibility) and then applY-

itrg t}t" gold leaf to that gold size' This

use of materials was confrned to the

interior door numbers or car names on

both sides ofpassenger car interior ves-

tibule doors.A version of this color aPPears to

have survived as Copper Bronze No' 12

which is a somewhat lighter shade than

Imitation Gold Bronze or CopperBronzeNo. 10 described above' The official

1950s-era Copper Bronze No. 1"2 metal

color chip borrowed bY us is a close

match to Pantone 871C.

"BtottzeBronzett or CoPPer Bronze

No. 11

Copper Bronze No. 11 (undated metal

chip from the 1950's) - Pantone Guide -

1405C but in a metallic Paint'

A metallic bronze color (termed"Bronze Bronze" by Bud Harcus) was

applied to certain interior fixtures of

p".t"ttg"t cars such as gas lights 'and

candle holders. This color, which is

metallic brown, seems to have been

re-named Copper Bronze No. 1l- after

1954.

Maple Leaf Green (andLocomotive

Green Cab Enamel)

Not described in M-40-D specifrcation -

Used on maple leaf monograms from

Iate 1944 to 1961. Also thought to be the

shade used inside locomotive cabs (per

Bud Harcus).

Original Green No. 12 (August 1955

uttd Jnly 1968 chips, revised December]rg74) -Pantone Guide - 363C and 364C(say a 50/50 mixture)

Revised Green No. 12 (December 1974

and April 1978 chips) - Pantone Guide -

362C

The initial version of CN's Green

No. 12 (pre-1974) is somewhat darker,

slightly more "olive", and less "lime"

than the later post-1974 version' Green

No. 12 was definitely used for the hori-

zontalgreen maple leaf from mid-1954

ot*urdt. Thus, it was most likely to be

the green used from the introduction of

the diagonal green maple leaf in late

1944. Another possibility considered was

whether the considerably darker Green

No. 10 could have been used for some of

I

the diagonal green leafperiod (L944to1954). This possibility was suggested bya 1950-era CN rolling stock brochurewhich included both a green leaf and asample green color spot inside. Thisshade appeared to be somewhat similarto the Green No. 10 chip of June 1956.

In the end, the contrast between themaple leafs green and Mineral Browncar sides in that era's black and whitephotos suggests that the diagonal leafwas always Green No. 12 (or rather itspre-1954 equivalent). As wel l , Al fGoodall and this author checked a boxcar with the pre-1954 diagonal leaf inSioux Lookout in 1992. After scrapingoff the dirt its color was clearly seen asbeing Green No. 12. It should also benoted that the various No. 10 colors aregenerally thought of as signal colors bycontemporary CN personnel.

For years, both Dan Kirlin and thisauthor had the view that CDS mapleleaf green wasn't quite right. Based onthe above, and more particularly thematch ofthe 1950 to 1974-era Green No.12 chips to the Pantone Guide by AlCraig of CDS and myself, CDS has re-vised its maple leaf green to Pantone's363C color in early 1993.

There does not seem to be anyACCU-flex color which is particularly close toOriginal Green No. 12. If pressed to picka color I'd suggest ACCU-flex's LightGreen.

FIoquiI released several CN colorsin 1992. Floquuil's No. 12 CN green isthe present (post-1974) version ofGreenNo. 12. As far as I can tell, it is onlyuseful for painting bulkheads on DWCbulkhead flat cars, etc.

Lettering and llerald Red (SignalRed or Vermilion)

Not described in M-40-D specification -Used for lettering and heralds from 1943to 1961, used for steam locomotive cabsashes from about 1950 onwards.

Red No. 10 (April 1978 chip) - PantoneGuide - L797C and 1807C (sav a 50/50mixture)

Stencilling diagrams indicate that

grey steel eight-hatch reefers and greyslab sided covered hoppers were let-tered with Red No. 10. Further, a matchof the Red No. 10 chip with a steamlocomotive herald displayed in theTranscona shops indicates that this wasalso the red shade used in the steamlocomotive and passenger wafer mono-grams. Photographs also suggest thatthis was the color used on steam locomo-tive number plates and on most steamlocomotive cab window sashes in the1950's (refer below to Wine Color Enamelfor Locomotive Cab Sashes).

CDS red lettering for refrigeratorcars has never seemed quite right. Basedon a match of the Red No. 10 chip to thePantone Guide by Al Craig of CDS andmyself, CDS has now revised its red toPantone's somewhat darker and richer1797C color.

Aluminum Bronze

Not described in M-40-D specification

Aluminum No. 10 (July 1968 chip) -Pantone Guide - 877C

The January 1992 Wisps of Steamcolumn in CN Lines [2l indicates thatthis color was used on the outside ofpassenger service steam engine trucks,driving andtrailingtrucktires and edgesof running boards as per CN's Nov. 1943Maintenance RegulationNo. 76-Paint-ing Locomotives in Back Shops. It wasalso noted in an earlier Wisps of Steamcolumn (through Bob Johnson) that thisAluminum Bronze color had to be handmixed in the railway paint shops usinga mixture of 1 pound of aluminum pow-der and one-half gallon of clear enginefinishing varnish. Bud Harcus indepen-dently advised Dan Kirlin and the au-thor that Transcona shops also mixed

was used on steam locomotive cab win-dow sashes as per Maintenance Regula-tion No. 76 - Painting Locomotives inBack Shops of November 1943. BudHarcus independently advised DanKirlin and me that locomotive cab sasheswere painted a fairly dark wine redcolor during the year he spent in theTranscona's locomotive shops (around1948). The Pantone Guide color sug-gested above resulted from asking BudHarcus to review a Pantone Guide andto make a selection. The only photo-graph located which seemed to showthis wine color was the 1954 photo of7222 rn Signatures of Steel [5]. It ap-pears to be close to the selected Pantoneshade. Modelers might consider usingCP Tuscan from Scalecoat as a proxy forthis color (unless touching CP colors issome sort of personal taboo).

There is written evidence that CNstarted using red to paint cab sashessomewhere around 1950. The color chartin CN's Cars and Locomotives brochureprinted in 1950 refers to "cab sash, red"under steam locomotives. Certainly,many ofthe 1950s-era color photos showRed No. 10 cab sashes. ,\

, J " ' ' "*ri:hlwy""y;,,WrP(** "' u; :* W nY"^ W

cirrc ation/f

Yellow No. 12 (Decerffber 1960 chip) -Pantone Guide - I24C is a close match

Ken Ronyck - who describes himselfas the last apprentice painter hired byTranscona Shops (he was hired in L959)- told Dan Kirlin and methatYellow No.12 was usedforworkequipment such asspeeders until the advent of Orange No.12. This information has not been con-firmed in writingbut based

accurate.would also seem to the au

that Yellow No. 12 is used for thean aluminum bronze paint which wused on steam locomotive tires. etc.

Wine Color Enamel for LocomotiveCab Sashes - close.to Yellow No. 12. Floquil lists CN

n /,{./ftf Yellow No-. 12 in its prqdrgt.linerl- ,Not described in M-40-n *p".iiilii:a;--'t'(q!A? ,3 . 6p< K'undocumented coror (no standard. color

Further Analysis Requirbd

chip located) - Pantone Guide - 216C is While this covers much ofthe importantthe best available guess. exteriorcolorinformation,therearegaps

CN Lines [2] Wisps of Steam from in the record which would be nice toJanuary 1992 indicated that this color close. In particular, it would be nice to

--

be absolutely certain on the timing of SIG members providing direct assis- it to them at 1968 Tache Avenue,the usage and the various shifts from tance included Mike Barone, Al Craig, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H"Imitation Gold Bronze" to "Imitation Alf Goodall, Ken Goslett, Tom Hood, 126.*Gold" andtheusageofthevariousfreight Dan Kirlin, Don Lewis, Ray Matthews,car greys. The exact color of "Wine" John Riddell, Kevin Robinson, and Lee References:Iocomotive cab window sashes would Smith. Thanks fellows.also be nice to know. [1] Lewis, Donald C. RaiI Canada -

Finally,it would be good to hear YourOwnSetOf ColorChips Volume 1. 1975. Launch Pad Dis-from anyone with information confrrm- tributors, 1342 East 59th Avenue,ing or refuting any of these findings. CN SIG members who would like to Vancouver, BC V5X LZI, Canada.

have a set of the key color samples for l2l CN Lines. Canadian National Spe-Credits their frles can, if they act now, obtain a cial Interest Group, R.D. 1, Box 295,

special "chip of many colors" (actually Alum Bank, PA 15521, U.S.A.The information developed in this study the key seven from the classic steam- [3] Meyer, Bruce. GTW F-unit Paintingwas enhanced by a number of present diesel transition era) made from the Guide. 6. 1976. Mainline Modeler,and former CN employees and various mixed paint. These masonite chips are Hundman Publishing Co., 5115CN SIG members. CN employees in- available in a limited quantity, one- Monticello Drive, Edmonds, WAcluded Geoff BalI, Kevin Day, Wayne timeonlybasis,fromDanKirlinofKirlin 98026 U.S.A.Deans,GeorgeDeSerrano,JimDickson, Scale Models. The cost is $5CDN for [4]CanadianTransportation.(PrecededJoe Douville, Gerry Evans, Darrel Canadian addresses and $5US for U.S. by Canadian Railway and MarineFierheller, Raye Fraser, H.W. "Bud" addresses (the exchange will cover the World).Harcus, Harry James, Eugene Olynek, additional postage). Make your cheque [5] McDonnell, Greg.SignaturesinSteel.Ken Ronyck and Marcel Vannevel. CN payable to Kirlin Scale Models and mail 1991. Page 74. Boston Mills Press

COLORGEN MIXES FOR SELECTED CN COLORS

Pigments in 64's of an ounce

T-BL T-GR YEG MG L-Y R-O R.P W NTCN Color and Chip Date

Red No. 10 - April/78Red No. 11 - July/56Grey No. ' l1 - OcV62Green No. 11 - Aug/54Green No. 12 - Aug/55Orange No. 10 - Aug/54Yellow No. 11 - Decl74Note

NoteThe italicized color mixes abovehave not been mixed and thereforemay not be a good match.

Base Color(One Litre) BLK

Red BaseNeutral Base 14

Deep Tint Base 4Neutral BaseNeutral BaseNeutral BaseNeutral Base

OX-R YOX

163

3052

751 6

18540

359 6 341

21 163 96 4 2

Bed No. 12 - July/68 Neutral Base 26 '19

Grey No. tO - May/65 Deep Tint Base 35 4

Grey No. 12 - Juty/68 Deep Tint Base 35 3

Grey No. 17 - July/68 Deep Tint Base 1

Yellow No. 12 - Dec/60 Neutral Base 1 183

Orange No. 11 - April/78 Neutral Base 125

Orange No. 12 - Sept/73 Note The COLORGEN System could not match this particutar color

144

BlackOxide RedYellow OxideThalo BlueThalo GreenYellow Green

1 5261 4

94

148

BLKOX-RYOXT-BLT-GRYEG

M GL-YR-OR-PWNT

MagentaLemon YellowRich OrangePermanent RedWhiteNeutral Toner

@ Compiled by S. Swain - Draft of November 22,1993

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