Hi All! Have a GC laser kit for a wooden CGW depot. The paint scheme is for the later maroon/ cream. Does anyone know what they painted their depots immediately prior to this? I have some black and white shots with the white corn belt route herald.Looks almost like one color-but the trim is definitely dark, not white. Thanks!
Interesting question; wish I knew the answer. If no one responds, you may wish to try the Chicago & North Western Historical Society at: http://www.cnwhs.org/index.htm
I have seen views, (color),m of CGW depots in a solid red. No trim colors whatsoever. I have seen photos of non-CGW depots in a very similar red, with a dark green trim. I believe that in earlier years, the NP used such a scheme. The darker color could be black, but that to me would look awful. Perhaps someone at C&NWHS could help? Also, have you ever seen the book "Chicago Great Western- Depots Along the Corn Belt Route"? (Joe Piersen & Jerry Huddleston (C&NWHS, 2004)? Perhaps there is some notation within that volume concerning colors?
Thanks Boxcab - roughly what date would they had been? Did it look like a tuscan red? My many black and white shots seem to show a solid dark shade of something.
Wish I could help with dates. I would say the red had some variations. But it is difficult to say for certain. Type of film, etc. Aging of the paint job...
I doubt if any color would correct, or for that matter every color might be correct due to sun bleach, aging, weather, etc. I'm sure you want to be precise, but for when, just after it had been painted, 2 years later, 10 years later, or just before it was torn down? Don't want to sound flip, but no paint holds its original color for its life span.
Hytec-thanks- not worried about precise, as thing look lighter and less shiny the further away you are anyway. Just one color photo would be useful.
I looked through my copy of Chicago Great Western: Depots Along the Corn Belt Route tonight. Published by C&NWHS. While it is a great book, with a lot of photos grouped by location on the CGW system, I didn't see any color photos of paint schemes older than the maroon and cream that you mention. There are mostly black and white photos in the book, and the older depot photos seem to show a solid scheme with what looks to be darker trim. There is a depot alteration drawing of the depot at Stockton from 1905, and it says, for painting, to use "standard colors". Alas the specific colors are not mentioned. I am not sure what year/time frame you wish to place your depot in, but one of the older B&W photos shows what looks to be maroon and cream (solid shade and light trim) is from 1955, so I think this scheme goes back a ways. I recommend that you take Hardcoaler and BoxcabE50's advice above and contact the C&NWHS directly. I am a member myself, for the related predecessor roads including CGW. They have a large archive of photos and other ephemera. The book on the depots is worth the price at any rate, if you can find one. There is a similar book for the depots of the M&StL. Good luck with your project!
Last time I looked, the CGW book was not listed in the C&NWHS Store. (I believe it is out-of-print now.) I have a copy listed in my book ad, in our Swap Meet, plus more....
