Model Train Journal

Posted: **Sat Aug 08, 2026 11:45 pm**

Here is a P&D F3 AB set in the as-delivered CB&Q freight scheme:

https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c6zzbd7nsdhrv7nw7wi7x/P-D-EMD-F3AB-CB-Q-135_01.jpg?rlkey=08jbxjivedxfoewbms9qzr80i

It's a nice set, equipped with the OSC brass Blomberg trucks and nicely painted by RIchard Garberson of Edmond, Washington. As can be seen, the B-unit arrived with three original roof fan grills and one unpainted brass replacement (PSC, I believe). The replacement grill did not match the originals well at all. A correct P&D grill hitchhiked its way into the shop recently (It was in a bag of spare parts that accompanied a different P&D F-unit). Here is what we have now:

https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p4dhou1c7f79hdkaru6af/P-D-EMD-F3AB-CB-Q-135_02.jpg?rlkey=d4ujaylwq1mjnt8xvzbnx1xeb

I haven't found a source for CB&Q white, which I have seen described as "bone white" or "very light gray that faded quickly to white". Surprisingly, an internet search found very little discussion of this color (which I find odd, given the slightly iconic status of these diesels).

I am looking for guidance on how to proceed to match this paint. One option is to just buy a rattle-can of off-white and hope for the best. Another would be to start with a bottle of reefer white (which I have) and add other colors to dope it to off-white. Rather than experiment aimlessly, does anybody have a rational way to proceed?

Jim

Posted: **Sun Aug 09, 2026 7:34 am**

R.K. Maroon wrote:I am looking for guidance on how to proceed to match this paint. One option is to just buy a rattle-can of off-white and hope for the best. Another would be to start with a bottle of reefer white (which I have) and add other colors to dope it to off-white. Rather than experiment aimlessly, does anybody have a rational way to proceed?

All options failing maybe match all 4 fan units to a "clean white" and claim they've just been serviced and wiped down.

Posted: **Sun Aug 09, 2026 12:38 pm**

It seems this color dilema has been discussed for years. I found this comment by Charlie Vlk from 2006 and IIRC he was a pretty knowledgeable guy.

IMHO the InterMountain CB&Q freight F Units are on the dark side of acceptable.
To add further confusion to the situation, the color of the freight units is called "Immitation Alumninum". It is the same paint that B&M, Rock Island, Southern and other roads used. A discussion of what this color was will start a fistfight in any of those railroad's historical societies.
I believe the Q actually had two shades of paint. The FTs were delivered in a shade that was almost pure white. Sometime during the production of F3s there was a change to a darker shade, like the IM units. By the time the F5 (late F3 units) were built the color was back to the lighter shade.
I have a tape of a movie that catches an F unit that had repaired side panels and the two shades are evident on it, so the railroad used the two paints as well.
The white shows up in photos as everthing from a ivory (road grime) to a blue gray (reflection of the sky). For basement use I would tend towards the pure white with a little bit of weathering...you seldom saw these units in bright paint, but then again until the very end as they were running out their last miles the Q kept them fairly clean for freight units.
Charlie Vlk

This comment by another poster(John Moore) seems to have found a match, but a lot of trouble for one fan.

120 drops of well mixed PolyScale Milwaukee light gray to a full bottle of reefer white is matching my photos for a unit that has been on the road for 10 years. Thanks again folks. You made it a little easier once I knew what to call it and what I was looking at.

CB&Q models in "Grayback" are hard to find. From what I've read the "Grayback" nickname came about due to the exhaust soot on the roof. Virtually evey loco I've every owned is UP paint scheme and for decades I never looked beyond this. But, I've always loved the CB&Q Graybacks (seen in several UP books I own) and after a long search I fround an A/B pair of P&D's F2/3's in "Grayback" and a 3rd Rail F3A unit. They are a simple paint scheme, but have always been a favorite of mine.

Posted: **Sun Aug 09, 2026 2:07 pm**

up148 wrote:This comment by another poster(John Moore) seems to have found a match, but a lot of trouble for one fan.

120 drops of well mixed PolyScale Milwaukee light gray to a full bottle of reefer white is matching my photos for a unit that has been on the road for 10 years. Thanks again folks. You made it a little easier once I knew what to call it and what I was looking at.

And then you have to find both bottles of Polly Scale and then 1 bottle is forever mixed.

There was a selection of both Floquil and Scale Coat paints at Strasburg yesterday, but they were not flying off that table. I probably made an error by not buying up the bottles of reefer yellow and orange.

Posted: **Sun Aug 09, 2026 4:41 pm**

I agree, but 22 years ago finding paint wasn't so hard or expensive. I should have bought up more favorite colors like Harbor Mist Gray and Armour Yellow.

Posted: **Sun Aug 09, 2026 6:15 pm**

up148 wrote:I agree, but 22 years ago finding paint wasn't so hard or expensive. I should have bought up more favorite colors like Harbor Mist Gray and Armour Yellow.

I'm using a lot of the "craft paint" for structures and all. I snagged maybe 85-90 bottles of it at an estate sale at a pennies on the bottle. Useful for all sorts of things like painting figures and details.

I probably have enough Floquil and Polly Scale to last me for many years. But I do wish I could have laid away a few more bottle of that goofy Floquil Weyerhauser Green, :wink:

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