This page is for us to post technical data on NYCS modeling. The idea is to provide links and articles that deal with modeling. You may contribute by sending your data or articles to NYCBigFour@verizon.net
Color Conversion Chart
This chart is provided to help the modeler in choosing colors for model painting.
Click here for Floquil Color Conversion Chart
Paint Charts for Model Paint Manufacturers
Listed below are some of the manufacturers of model paints. We have no financial interest in any of these firms and do not sell any of the paints. This are listed for the convenience of the NYCSHS members and NYCS modelers.
Tamiya Paint Charts
This link is provided to help the modeler in choosing colors for model painting. Although these paints aren’t made specifically for model railroads, then offer another good alternative for good quality paints. The acrylic flat colors are very good for many modeling applications. They are advertised for plastics, but work very well on wood or metal.
Click here for Tamya Paint Charts.
Model Master Paint Charts
This link is also provided to help the modeler in choosing colors for model painting. Although these paints aren’t made specifically for model railroads, then offer another good alternative for good quality paints. They offer both acrylic and enamel paints that are good for many modeling applications.
Click here for Model Master Paint Charts.
MinuteMan Scalecoat Paint Charts
Weaver Models sold its modeling paints to Shawn Cavaretta owner of MinuteMan Scale Models. He is in the process of setting them up for sale. You can check out his offerings at MinuteMan Scale Models.
Scalecoat Model I paint and it is formulated especially for brass, metal or wood without a primer. Also available is Scalecoat Model II paint formulated for plastics without a primer. Color charts are still available at the following sites:
Click here for Scalecoat Model Paint Charts.
MODELflex Paints
MODELflex paints are sold by Badger Air Brush Company.
Click here for MODELflex Paint Charts
Tru-Color Paint Charts
Tru-Color Paint was formed by Rick Galazzo and Scott Cohen in 2008 in Phoenix, AZ. Both principals have extensive experience with formulating paint on the commercial scale and decided to branch out on their own in the model paint business.
There are two sorted databases are now listed on our website showing standard freight car colors in one list and ALL railroad colors in other list. Both lists are sorted by railroad name in ALPHABETICAL ORDER! Now you can find the paint you need for that special project.
Seth Lakin, NYCSHS member suggests these Tru-Color paint colors:
#43 New York Central Jade Green(Really Century Green)
#129 NYC Light Gray
#130 NYC Drak Gray
#221 New York Central Frt. Car Red
#234 IHB Freight Car Red
#235 PL&E Freight Car Red
The 221, 234 and 235 is a newer release and is not stocked yet at the local hobby shop.
I painted my model of the 858-B boxcar with #82 Rich Oxide Brown that was the subject of the 4th Qtr 2014 NYCentral Modeler article.
The American Model Builders’ 19000 series cabooses were painted with #93 Oxide Brown
Click here for Tru-Color Paint Charts.
“Paint Code Triangle” by Peter Weiglin
Beginning in the late 1950s, the NYC added a triangular stencil to freight cars to guide in the painting of cars. The codes in the triangle indicated the manner in which the car had been cleaned, primed, and painted. It is very useful to understand this code to ensure correct paint colors for models. (Reprinted here from the 1st Quarter 2014 NYCentral Modeler.
Click here for Paint Code Triangle Article
“20th Century Painting Guide” by H.L. Vail, Jr.
This is an authoritative article by the then president of the NYCSHS written in the early 1980’s. It provides some data on painting the NYC 20th Century Limited. It is dated but useful.
Click here for “20th Century Painting” Article
New York Central System Open Hoppers 1919 – 1968
Produced and provided by Ben Hom
This is Revision B and is the latest version 10/12/2020
Analysis by Ben Hom and Primary Online Reference for the data is Terry Links’ website: Canadian Southern Railway: http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/home.htm
This is a first look at the NYCS hopper fleet and research continues.
Click here forNYCS Open Hopper Cars Handout
Freight Car Distribution & Car Handling in the United States
Here is a link to a very interesting industry text by Eugene W. Coughlin. The author was the Manager, Railroad Relations, Car Service Division, Association Of American Railroads. The book was published in 1956.
The book, digitized as published or in text form (which can be copied) is available free on- line at:
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015006075272;view=1up;seq=1
Below is the table of contents, which appears to have a lot of good material for those of you are interested in prototype operations.
Table Of Contents
I. Freight Car Efficiency, ABCs of; Genesis and Principles of Car Service Rules 1
II. Car Service Rules observance 10
III. Local Car Service Rules meetings 29
IV. Departmental Aid in Efficient Car Handling 43
V. Reports and Forms for Freight Car Handling 59
VI. Heavier Loading of Freight Cars 91
VII. Miscellaneous Abuses of and Delay to Equipment 104
VIII. Cross Haul of Empty Cars in Terminals 114
IX. Commodity Inspection and Carding 119
X. Short Routing of Empty Cars 129
XI. Demurrage and Storage 140
XII. Weighing Freight and Empty Cars 149
XIII. Bad Orders 154
XIV. Yard and Terminal Observations 162
XV. Regional Shippers’ Advisory Boards 170
XVI. Shippers and Receivers Part in Efficient Car Handling .. 180
XVII. Complete Unloading or Cleaning of Cars 195
XVIII. Embargoes 204
XIX. Moving the Annual Grain Crop 210
XX. Coal Car Distribution and Mine Ratings 224
XXI. Refrigerator, and Tank Cars; Privately Owned Cars …. 243
XXII. Car Hire 267
XXIII. Adequacy Freight Car Ownership—Car Ownership Formulae 281
XXIV. Post-War Freight Car Shortages 294
XXV. Association of American Railroads 308
NYCSHS 