Re: [CBQ] CB&Q depots

[archie hayden <klinerarch@charter.net>]

Bill hit the nail on the head,  an old head B&B guy told me they called it smalt when they mixed sand in the paint.  The mixture probably had something to do with the color seeming to be a different shade.  I have been around many old depots and the better part of them were painted like this.  I believe he said that smalt was a German word.  Any linguist out there?  Archie

On Aug 28, 2012, at 2:47 PM, wlhoss@aol.com wrote:

 

On the Missouri Pacific sand was added to discourage station loafers from using their pocket knives to carve on the siding.  The sand also gave a different look to the paint in photographs.

 

Bill Hoss

 

In a message dated 8/28/2012 12:04:13 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, dave@dglambert.com writes:

 

Art,

 

I wrote an article on CB&Q depots for RMC which was published several months ago.

Of the 5 RPPCs I used to illustrate that article, only one (Wymore, NE) even hints at the color separation you mention.

The others were extremely well-lighted (having been taken as glass plates by professional photogs) and I just see no evidence of the two colors.

The Wymore depot is the poorest-quality of the lot and the color sep line (about 5-feet above the top-of-track level as you mentioned) is very faint.

The use of sand as an anti-friction additive to the standard paint color looks as if it could have explained the slight difference I see.

Best of luck with your project.

Contact me off-line and I'll share the list of Q RPPCs I have.

Regards,

 

Dave Lambert

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From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Art Peterson
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 2:47 PM
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CBQ] CB&Q depots

 

I suspect that the apparent lighter color on the lower section is die to the use of orthochromatic film; panchromatic film would show the lower section to be darker, which would be logical.

Art

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From: GENE TACEY <taceys@gpcom.net>
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 2:00 PM
Subject: RE: [CBQ] CB&Q depots

 

I have a lot of photos of depots in this time frame and am also curious about the color separation line. Some photos show a lighter color on the lower section and some appear to be darker on the lower section. I think some of it may be due to the direction of the sun in relation to the photo.

I heard a story from Jim Reisdorf who had talked to a painter who used to work for the Q and he told Jim they used to put sand in the paint on the lower part to prevent windblown dirt and sand from wearing the paint. I am guessing that this may have changed the reflective quality of the paint such as it appears to be a different shade. Would also be interested in an answer to this as to the best of my knowledge they were always painted the standard colors.

Gene Tacey

 

From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Art Peterson
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 10:06 AM
To: cbq@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CBQ] CB&Q depots

 

I am working with real photo postcards of CB&Q depots of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is apparent that most of the wooden buildings were painted with a darker color to about five feet above the ground with a lighter color above that. If anyone has information on what these colors were, I would appreciate hearing from you.

 

Art Peterson

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