Hello everyone....I'm working on a G-scale EP Ripley model and soon to begin painting. I want to replicate the 1955 appearance but have questions on following.

Boiler color - in Steve DeGaetano's book, it's described as shiny dark gray. Was this a straight glossy gray or did it have some metallic fleck as in charcoal gray (seen on some cars)?

Red color - pictures seem to show that the headlamp, cowcatcher, window trim, running board trim had the same bright red as all the wheels. Was it the same color? If different please describe.

A CK Holliday will follow later so the same question applies. I'll post some progress pictures if someone can indicate how I can upload these on this website.

Thanks,
John

Color perception can be subjective, and the color images fom the era may not be accurate. The boiler jacket in most color photos/postacards appears (to my eyes) to be a great atempt at mimicking Russia Iron. Our own David Fletcher ("Fletch") has mastered the color, as can be seen here:

http://4largescale.com/fletch/d14a.htm

Look around his website--it's pretty amazing, and his talent is museum-quality. I believe he uses Testors "Metalizer" paints; I'm sure he dicusses the color somwhere on that site.

The reds on the wheels/pilot/headlight and sashes is different. I trust you've seen this thread?:

http://www.burnsland.com/disneyrailroads/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3158