Woo! Well, that's a question that can raise quite a controversy. So I'll
start by touching quickly on the endless controversy on this topic.
People have different opinions and different memories - there are some who much
prefer a more tuscan colour; others (including me) who favour a somewhat more
mineral red colour; photos help but do not record accurate colours in a way one
can compare to paint - different medium = different results; plus lighting
conditions, exposure, deterioration of slides and prints, etc etc. And while
the company had standards it adhered to, paint through the years was mixed from
ingredients and those who did it scoff at the notion that the colours didn't
wander (within a narrow range) from paint job to paint job. Then there is sun
and rain and snow and etc - which all do a number on paint. There is at least
one copy of a CPR standard drawings book in existence that includes
standardized paint chips, but I've never seen it and we've never had it matched
to current paint products (which would allow widespread distribution of colour
info and remains a personal goal).
The CP colours yahoo list includes a lot of discussion on matching shades - and
some of those efforts have been used in real life restoration of buildings.
But the controversy remains. Notice I've said nothing about choice of model
paint brands or colour choices.
Beyond the main colour, there are trim colours - & they can be debated too.
And a lot of line-side buildings did not have different trim colours - they
were entirely in the main colour. Where trim received different paint (such as
a gate crossing tower, water tower, station, etc. there are two possible
colours - a darker trim and a lighter trim. Both were used on some buildings;
sometimes only one trim colour was used. And the shades of both the light and
dark colours vary. For the lighter trim, colours range from white to a soft
yellow.
For the darker trim colour, some appear to be just black mixed into the main
colour - leading to a darker brown. Other versions use a more tuscan base
darkened with black. When examined about 15 years ago, the water tower in
Cranbrook used two obviously different shades of darker trim colour.
So, with all that background, I suggest you have a look at a the photos section
of both this and the cp colours yahoo list. Also these web pages include a
sense of the colour shades:
- http://www.stationmuseum.ca/station/ ;
- ttp://www.forthjunction.com/cpr-stations.htm
- http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/mun/m215.html
-
http://novascotiarailwayheritage.com/Photo%20archive/Kentville%20new%20&%20old%2016JY89%20DAO.jpg
- http://blog.traingeek.ca/2010/10/herbert-cpr-train-station-museum.html
- http://www.alberta2005rail.com/whatsnew/2010/April%2020%202010/April202010.htm
Google images can produce a lot of additional views.
Rob
--------------------------------------------------
From: "a17_695" <a17_695@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 12:45 PM
To: <cpsig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [cpsig] Mid 1950s CPR Structure Colours
Good Afternoon. I am looking for the correct colours for the following
structures: interlocking tower, elevated gate tower and a typical trackside
shanty. Any photos (colour) would be appreciated as well.
Thanks,
Stephen
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