Color suggestion for NYC elevated subway line

I would start with one of the rattle-can "Camo" greens. They are very flat, which I think is good for you application.

Maybe this:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Krylo...BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I recall that the colors of the steel supports girders were different shades of green, brown, and gray.  As long as you're using a mid green shade, you should be okay. 

I would include images but can't because of copyright stuff.  Here are some links

J Train (tan color)

Myrtle Avenue (green) https://subwaynut.com/bmt/myrtlej/myrtlej22.jpg

Franklin Avenue Shuttle (gold/brown): https://www.arrts-arrchives.com/images3/FrnklnAv1.JPG

The green that's most currently seen today, which is probably what you're looking for:   https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/upload...2_03_15_5DS_8537.jpg

Duplicolor engine enamel for Detroit Diesels.....it’s called alpine green...part no. DE 1618....that’s a gloss enamel, after it sets up, coat it with a flat clear finish.....I’ve always sworn that would be the ticket for the super structures.....a little weathering, some rust...that’d be a cool model.....have fun!........Pat

There’s a rustoleum color called “Oregano” which is kind of a brownish medium green.  Probably would be pretty passable. 

So here’s queens plaza. The first 3 photos show 3 different colors of the el steel structure. The green & tan structure is where the #7 train operates and that 2-tone pink structure is the N train coming in from ditmas Blvd.

I love rustoleum paint cans and have used their flat paints for a variety of weathering projects. For a green el structure that rustoleum oregano should work fine. I weathered my Staten Island 44-tonner with rustoleum paints. Rustoleum has a few shades of green so picking one that’s close to the NYC elevated structure shouldn’t be an issue if you go that route. Post pics of your work as you get to it! 

Rich,

I had the same question for my layout. I have a second level that is a double track mainline, both for passenger service. One of them is for the LIRR.  For part of the elevated section, I wanted to mimic the NYC subways "els" like you see in Brooklyn, etc.  I created this section by modifying the trestles by Bridgeboss and the girders using Girder Bridge Plates.  Then I reviewed photos of the NYC subways elevated sections, and scoured the city of Portland, OR taking photos of bridge girders, freeway guardrails, painted iron fences, etc. Then stopped by a local Sherwin Williams paint store to compare paint chips. I landed on Eco Green (see photo). I had one of their stores mix a quart, and I was able to use it in a hand held can for air brushing (I don't have a compressor unit). Some areas I just painted with a small brush.  I was actually very pleased with the appearance of the structure and paint color. See photos.

Hope this helps.

Michael

Michael,

#1.  Great paint job!

#2.  As you mentioned the LIRR above, I figured that I would respond to my earlier post about the gray color.  Apparently the gray girders and supports in my memory bank were on the LIRR elevated on Atlantic Avenue, not the subway elevated tracks. Here are links to a couple of internet photos:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?98815

https://www.railpictures.net/i.../1129.1210775056.jpg

On my 2017 YouTube video on a cold and windy day at the LIRR Laurelton station, the girder bridges over 225th Street are painted gray, so that may be the color that the LIRR uses in all locations of elevateds and bridges, but I  do not know.

Whatever color you choose, it appears that the 1:1 stuff is highly irregular. It's a patchwork of different shades due to eons of repairs and repaints. And it can be pretty grimy...

Kevin,

Your comment about the colors for LIRR are right on.  I also mimicked a station in my home town, on LI.  The photos of the real deal show the gray concrete struts, including the gap across the street. I tried to follow that on my layout. The green trestle area is in a different part of the layout, and I thought the green girders would look cool there. Also blends well with green colors on vintage Lionel accessories.  BTW, layout it still under construction.

Thanks for the tip.

Michael

Michael, I love those poured concrete struts that you have on the layout.

Pittsburgh (PPG) paint code 7009 - Woodland Night

Source:  NYCT Department of Capital Program Management, Engineering Services Division, Civil-Structural Engineering -- "Request for Industry-Wide Information on Surface Preparation and Painting for New York City Transit's Elevated Infrastructure" Appendix A, page 9AX-6 

(PDF link if you want to sift through that document -- typing out the title was enough work as it is )

---PCJ   (sometimes you just gotta know where to look)