Yes Jim, I agree, this is very, very blue. As this is was a factory painted VH
model, it would be interesting to understand what the research/thinking was
behind this boiler color.
I found a very interesting description of ‘Russian Iron’ from the Pacific
Coast Narrow Gauge Org. which describes the early planished iron process:
http://www.pacificng.com/template.php?page=/ref/russiairon/index.htm
You are right about the color of ‘Russian Iron’ trending toward a kind of
mottled gray appearance, but there are some examples on this site that have a
distinctly blue-gray appearance. I also have to wonder if the ‘Russian Iron,’
as utilized by the CPR during this period, was a product of the planished iron
process or was actually a CPR color dubbed ‘Russian Iron.’ The planished iron
process described here seems to have only been used on locomotive boiler
jackets in the late 19th or very early 20th centuries.
Jonathan McConathy
From: cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
Jim LIttle
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2021 6:23 PM
To: cpha@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cpha] Re: T1a Selkirk boiler colour
The eBay boiler is definitely far too blue. From what I've seen and heard, the
boiler jackets were mainly a gray with a blue hue. The planished steel was
definitely as Craig said, a machinist's blue gray - sort of a gun metal shade.
I've also heard or read, it was shiny and possibly the bluish hue came from the
sky, because I've also heard of a greenish hue which could have been from being
photographed beside a forest. John Morris (Winnipeg) also says they were gray
with a bluish tint. He worked up the CP steam boiler gray for the CN Lines
paint when it was produced. Some of the colours can still be obtained from
Scalecoat, although getting it across the border could be difficult as the
solvent base deems it a hazardous material.
JIm
On Sun, Feb 28, 2021 at 1:20 PM Jonathan McConathy <jothsue@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Also the buildler’s photo of 5919.
Jonathan
From: cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
Jonathan McConathy
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2021 3:47 PM
To: cpha@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cpha] Re: T1a Selkirk boiler colour
I was always under the impression that, as built, the T1a’s boilers were
painted with what Donald Bain (in one of the British Railway Modellers of North
America Books) described as ‘Russian Blue’. I’m looking for the reference. VH
models did a H1a/b no. 2805 (painted model with elephant ears) in what I think
was this ‘Russian Blue.’ A decidedly different color than the grey boilers we
are accustomed to. I have a somewhat decent downloaded builders photo of T1a
5919 that has a distinctly different boiler color than black.
Jonathan
From: cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
Jim Little
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2021 3:15 PM
To: cpha@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cpha] Re: T1a Selkirk boiler colour
I agree with Rob on the boiler colour as to being uncertain whether painted or
planished steel for the boiler, but the boilers definitely were a different
colour than the domes and smokebox. However, I believe by the time of the
Royal Train (1939) the CPR was using paint rather than the planished steel.
The Jubilees were produced in 1936 and they had painted boiler jackets. (see
attached) You can see the lack of shininess that the planished steel would
have. It is my understanding that the planished steel jackets went out
sometime in the early 1930's, possibly during the depression.
Jim Little, MMR
On Sun, Feb 28, 2021 at 11:57 AM Robert Kirkham <rdkirkham@xxxxxxx> wrote:
For clarification, is the question (and the answers) about gray paint on
boilers, or picking out the differences in appearance between planished (not
sure of spelling???) steel and black paint and smokebox colours?
Rob
On Feb 28, 2021, at 11:54 AM, Jim LIttle <jllittleguy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Sorry to differ with you Jeff, but I have a couple of photos of the T-1a's with
a grey boiler and the narrow skirted running boards. I also painted one last
year for a person in the CPR who wanted it painted as such as it was the assist
engine for the Royal Train (2850) through the mountains.
You can definitely see the difference in colour between the domes and the
boiler.
Jim Little, MMR
On Sun, Feb 28, 2021 at 11:30 AM Julian <nineveh612@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Awesome, thanks Jeff, that was exactly what I was looking for.
Cheers, Julian
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 28, 2021, at 10:32, Jeff Pinchbeck <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Some Selkirks were painted and lettered for passenger service but they none
had grey painted boilers.
If the engine had wide side skirting they were painted and lettered for
passenger service with Tuscan red panels and gold leaf pin striping and
lettering.
Engines without were freight service and only had gold-yellow paint
lettering.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:cpha-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Julian
Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2021 12:59 PM
To: cpha@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cpha] T1a Selkirk boiler colour
Hi everyone,
I have been trying to determine whether non-streamlined T1as were ever
painted in the grey and maroon livery. My research has been inconclusive.
Thanks, Julian
