Part of the problem is that it's difficult to make most paints look like metal, so metallic colors are used to some effect. Perhaps the confusion is just in using the terms "metallic" and "metal flake" synonymously.

My intention is to model the DRR engines as they appear today. They are somewhat caricatures of historic locomotives. The boilers are painted with what appears to be automotive paint and are highly polished, maybe even waxed. The "metallic", "flake" or "fleck" is the same that you see in many automotive colors. I'm sure that they chose a bluish color on the Holliday and Gurley as a tribute to Russia Iron, but it is not trying to duplicate Russia Iron. The Holliday and Gurley are mostly blue with a hint of green, the Ripley is green, the March is maroonish/magenta red and the Kimball is almost black. All have the added "glitter" sparkle of the metallic fleck. This metallic fleck only occurs at the boilers. the other painted surfaces of the locomotives are high gloss solid colors.

C K Holliday
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Rollingstock131-1.jpg[/img]
EP Ripley
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Ripley007.jpg[/img]
Fred Gurley
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/2008-05-03075-1.jpg[/img]
Ernest S. Marsh
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Marsh008-1.jpg[/img]
Ward Kimball
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Kimball008-1.jpg[/img]

Yep, you're right. Disney's using metal flake paint(like you say, an old hot rod favorite) on the boilers. I can't argue with the prototype!

Another day of color matching at the Park.
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Marsh001.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/Holliday.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/Gurley-Kimball/kimball.jpg[/img].

The winners (for now) are:

Colors for Disneyland Locomotives [/b][/size]
All wheels: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All window trims: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All Smokeboxes: Tamiya Color - Light Gun Metal TS-42
All Cab interiors: Tamiya Color - Park Green PS-21

C. K. Holliday
Boiler: Dupli-Color- Dark Sapphire (M) EDSGM384
Cab: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Domes: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365

E. P. Ripley
Boiler: Model Master - Fathom Green Metallic No 28120
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black 17004
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365

Fred Gurley
Boiler: Dupli-Color- Dark Sapphire (M) EDSGm384
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black 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: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cab: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Domes: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365

Ward Kimball
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Domes: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Cowcatcher: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Roof (no hatch): Ace - Flat Black 7578
Roof Trim: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Testors - Dark Red 1204

You may notice that Dupli-Color Claret Red is used a lot. This color is what we have been calling "maroon". It is not as maroonish as the prototype, but is a nice, rich, deep red with a bluish tint. It requires 4 to 5 coats to fully develop the deep color. It has the metallic fleck in it and as such will show well on the boiler of the Marsh, but would work better in all the other occurrences as a solid body color. (sigh)

These are my finalists for off-the-shelf, out-of-the-can sprays that will give good results. The research has made me keenly aware of the subtleties of these colors. As a result, I will probably custom mix some of the colors for the models that you may see in future threads.

Note: All paints are shown painted on white primer

Here is the first revision. I found a great thrad on the "new color scheme for the Holliday from a few years ago. The roof of the Holliday is now clearlly black

[img]http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo345/CPTRR/CK%20Holliday/455662616_3f8d4bde82_o.jpg[/img]

Here is the revised color chart. The black I have noted here has a little sheen to it even though it is named "Flat Black".

Colors for Disneyland Locomotives [/b][/size]
All wheels: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All window trims: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
All Smokeboxes: Tamiya Color - Light Gun Metal TS-42
All Cab interiors: Tamiya Color - Park Green PS-21

C. K. Holliday
Boiler: Dupli-Color- Dark Sapphire (M) EDSGM384
Cab and sides of roof hatch: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Domes: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch Roof: Rust-oleum -Flat Black 245198
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Tender: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Tender grahic background: Model Masters - Guards Red 2918
Inside of tender flare: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733


E. P. Ripley
Boiler: Model Master - Fathom Green Metallic No 28120
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black 17004
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365

Fred Gurley
Boiler: Dupli-Color- Dark Sapphire (M) EDSGm384
Cab: Rust-oleum - Dark Hunter Green 7733
Domes: Ace - Gloss Black 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: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cab: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Domes: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Cowcatcher: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365
Roof and Hatch: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Dupli-Color - Claret Red Metallic EDSCC365

Ward Kimball
Boiler: Tamiya Color - Dark Mica Blue TS-64
Cab: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Domes: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Cowcatcher: Testors - Dark Red 1204
Roof (no hatch): Ace - Flat Black 7578
Roof Trim: Ace - Red Primer 17083/100021
Headlamp: Testors - Dark Red 1204

Thanks, Dave. I'll post this to the sticky.

Note that you can barely see the solar panel just behind the roof hatch. And you thought I was kidding!

Also, note that the inerior of the upper tender collar walls--and maybe even the deck--is painted green.

I had noted in the revised color schedule that the inside of the flare is green. The deck of the tender is black. I believe they all are. I will make that change soon. I think that I will not model the solar panel, at least not for now.

just a little observation from previous modeling projects. the scale of a model does affect how the eye views color the smaller a model goes the more you eye will think the color is wrong. case in fact i built a 1/72 scale model of a ch-46 seaknight and aquired real nave spec gloss green that our aircraft at the time was painted in. i know the color was exactly the same as a full size helicopter but the paint on the model looked too bright. i had to repaint it in a more subdued flatter green to get the scale effect i wanted. just throwing in my two no wait one cent in. cant afford two cents wife has my wallet