Playing with paint schemes

[sirenwerks]

Any feedback?  Proposed 1960s era paint scheme for an obviously fictitious all-Alco (okay some Baldwins) railroad running from northeastern PA coal fields and industrial belt through MD to WV/VA, including Philly and Delmarva.  Trying to stick with slightly unique base color, which is actually a Tamiya military color, that doesn't make it look like all the others but doesn't look to far off either from being something a real railroad would choose.  Not so sure about the font, or transferring it onto the image at a better resolution.  (Still improving my GIMP skills).  Planning on doing a version with just road initials in a larger font size too.  Need cab-side road numbers still.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok, so... I like it. It's tasteful.

But... I think it might be too tasteful.

Think about the paint schemes that came about in that era. The offset road name (which looks great), feels like much more modern design language.

Also, while I like the font choice, I think you might want to go with something with a bit less character.
Maybe Atlantic (it was used by multiple roads): http://www.railfonts.com/cgi-bin/font_shop/fontshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=page13.html
Ches C looks like a good candidate too: http://www.railfonts.com/cgi-bin/font_shop/fontshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=page6.html

[jmarley76]

Think about the paint schemes that came about in that era.

Ed has a point, paint schemes were quite colorful. Maybe a red or white stripe between the black and the other color? It could be a decal. I'm also thinking the front of the cab might be your other color instead of having black across it?

Lots of options at this stage for you to explore... 

[C855B]

Suggest a dark gray vs. black. Center name as Ed suggested. Possibly a light yellow on the name. Consider black/yellow zebra stripes on ends (don't wrap to body). Top of nose should be body color or anti-glare, not bright accent color.

[sirenwerks]

Thanks Ed.  The font used is a little too old-timey stylish.  I am actually leaning more towards using a straight up computer font - LilyUPC:





It has a Zephyr-esque quality to it but may also be too modern.  The small caps may contribute to that though.


I had also considered RailFonts US Army Transportation Corps: http://www.railfonts.com/Samples/transportation-demo.html.  It is a bit more like what both the EL and LV use and more androgynous than the likes of the CB&Q or GN fonts.


One fear I have is the color's too teal.  I can't really know that until I get some Tamiya paint and don't have to rely on its color chart.  I'm angling more for a slate grey with a hint of blue, an off tone like NYC Jade green or PC green.  I don't want Armour Gray, too boring; don't want something close to EL gray either, too light; I was thinking maybe of a warm tone aluminum as possibility, like the SusQ, but that might not work on broad-shouldered Centuries.

[Big Train]

Hi, Sirenwerks!

Not being a graphic designer, but I am sure there are some out there on The Railwire, can I chime in with a few ideas for you to consider?

I'd look and study all the paint schemes that were currently in use during the 1960's just to get an idea of how the designs were carried out on the prototypes. Specifically, the colours selected and font style and placement. From what I've seen, colours were a lot brighter, selected for either brand identification, like UP Armour Yellow, to stand out from the competition. There may have been consideration for the safety aspect to make the locomotives more visible in poor lighting conditions.
red/scarlet.

That, and railways had money then and plenty of manpower to maintain complicated paint schemes. Not so much now and a reason why contemporary locomotives look rather simple...generally speaking, of course.

As far as font styles, there are constantly being designed. So, I'd consider something that was prevalent during this time period. The other thing to look at is the location of the road name on the carbody. Seems to me graphic trends were a little more conservative then and real breakthroughs in logo design for public recognition didn't happen until the late 60's and early 70"s, like the CN famous 'Wet Noodle".

If it were my locomotive, I'd move the road name from the upper right and centre it on the carbody between the cab and the end, kinda like Southern Pacific Bloody Nose paint scheme. I'd change the res/scarlet sill stripe and stanchions to orange or yellow. I don't know what you have planned for the ends, but maybe yellow or orange again. Or contrasting stripes?


My other consideration  would be to change the name from "Chesapeake Piedmont Midland" to "Chesapeake & Peidmont Northern", using the & kinda like Chicago & Northwestern. To me this kind of naming convention was common then. As written on the rendition, it looks more contemporary than I think you were planning. All personal preference, though. It's your railroad.....


In the past while web surfing I've seen user groups that do just this sort of thing, designing fantasy locomotive paint schemes. If I stumble across them again in the next while, I will post them on this forum.

Of course, there will be plenty opinions and contradictory design elements used by the prototype during this time that may not conform with what I have suggested. What is it the legal documents say "E & OE" -Errors and Omissions Excepted-.

Hope this helps

Anyways, just my opinion and personal preference...just hoping to help.

[wcfn100]

I think a 60's era paint scheme still needs a herald.  And fwiw, most simplified schemes I'm familiar with went to just two colors.
 

Jaspn

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I had also considered RailFonts US Army Transportation Corps: http://www.railfonts.com/Samples/transportation-demo.html.  It is a bit more like what both the EL and LV use and more androgynous than the likes of the CB&Q or GN fonts.

I like that. Good call.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also, that, but big "CPM" on the side, Ala N&W?

[davefoxx]

Also, that, but big "CPM" on the side, Ala N&W?

I'd keep it conservative.  You generally didn't see large lettering on the sides of the locomotives until Santa Fe did so (late 1960s?) and the Chessie System followed suit in the early 1970s.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

When did the big NW scheme come along? Was that a 70s invention?

[Kisatchie]

When did the big NW scheme come along? Was that a 70s invention?

I believe it was the very early 70s. Someone here should verify soon.


Hmm... ain't gonna be
me...

[davefoxx]

When did the big NW scheme come along? Was that a 70s invention?

Multiple sources online indicate 1971.

[wazzou]

Needs some white Chevrons on the nose and tail.  The railroads were aware of the visibility issues at grade crossings even back then.

[Bob Bufkin]

Use a darker green like Pullman green or what UPS use.  Railroads and trucking companies started using it because it hid dirt.