Finding the right colors for anything is a real chore. Disneyland locomotives are no exception. Photos can be deceiving and the human memory is even worse. I am compiling a list of commercially available paints that will give good results when modeling the Disneyland locomotives as they are painted at the time of this writing. Fellow member, jarenas, has found a great paint for the boiler of the Gurley. I offer this list for comment. I have heard some debate and whether the Ripley cowcatcher and headlamp are Guards Red or Maroon. This list can be revised, amended or, once completed, maybe published. Steve, any thoughts of expanding chapter 18 of Welcome Aboard into an entire book?

Colors for Disneyland Locomotives
All wheels: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All window trims: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All Smokeboxes: Tamiya Color - Gun Metal TS-38
All Cab interiors: Tamiya Color - Park Green PS-21

C. K. Holliday
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Domes:Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Cowcatcher: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112

E. P. Ripley
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black Ace 17004
Cowcatcher: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112

Fred Gurley
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black Ace 17004
Cowcatcher: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Flat Black 7578
Roof & Hatch Trim: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918

Ernest S. Marsh
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Honduras Maroon 28112
Cab: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Domes: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Cowcatcher Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Model Masters - Honduras Maroon 28112

Ward Kimball
Boiler:Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
Domes: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
Cowcatcher: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
Roof (no hatch): Ace - Flat Black 7578
Roof Trim: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918

Great topic!

I don't have a lot of experience with any of the Timaya or Model Master paints, so I will have to defer to others.

Others--What do you think of Dave's choices?

I do like the fact that mixing doesn't need to be involved.

As far as initial comments--not having seen the colors--I may have a problem using "Dark Mica Blue" for the boilers of the Holliday, Ripley and Kimball. As I recall, the Ward Kimball's boiler looks nearly black, even upon close inspection, whereas the Holliday's boiler is a lighter blue. (though not by much). The Ripley's boiler seems to recently have been painted something closer to bluish-green.

There's always room for improvement/expansion of the book, which is something I'd really like to do--although with this economy, it might not happen any time soon. With the amount of material available here, and the research I've been able to accomplish for my MiceAge articles, I suspect that the page count could easily be doubled.

I think you're the guy who should write the book on modeling the Disneyland trains/structures!

The Kimball's boiler is almost black, but not quite. I used Testors 1:1 ratio of Blue and Silver, then kept adding black until it was a dark color, but not black. For the Cab I used Krylon Gloss Red, which is close to the standard red the Testors has.

Good topic indeed!

Would Disneyland and/or WDW be willing to provide actual color samples?

Nah, they wouldn't do that. Best bet is to grab a bunch of color samples from Lowes/Home Depot and hold 'em up to the real thing.

This is the discussion I'm looking for. I thought that all the boilers (except Marsh) were supposed to be the same color, Russia Iron, which can be many things. I have seen the Gurley up close at Fullerton Train Days and it is definately dark blue. This Tamiya color is very dark, almost black, but when the black domes are on it, you can tell that it is blue. My CK and EP have a dark greenish/blue cast to them that I like. It was mixed from a recipe similar to that found in Steve's book. Maybe the first question should be, which engines share paints?

I agree. Does anyone have connections where we could do such a thing?

Well, for sure, the Gurley and the Holliday have the exact same paint. The Ripley, to my eyes, has the same color as the Gurley and Holliday, though the hue is more on the green than the blue.

Not to abandon boiler colors, but does anyone know if the headlamp and cow catcher of the Ripley is bright red like the window trims and wheels or the darker red (maroon)?

According to what I've read, Russia Iron is a lost art. Since it was passe before color photography, we only have B&W photos and written accounts of it. Some suggest the blueish tint merely reflected the sky on a bright day.