Paints to Match PRR Paints

So you know what the PRR called the color of paint you want to apply to your model, your shed in the back yard, etc., but how do you go about selecting an available paint?

Color Models

First, you should have a brief understanding of colors. Different media have different models for describing how they depict colors. Here are just a few of them:

RGB - RGB is the system most people are familiar with. It's used for video and is described by expressing percentages of Red, Green, and Blue.

CMYK - This is the system used for the printing process. Colors are expressed as percentages of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and bLack. The colors are overprinted in very small dots at different angles. If you view a resulting print under magnification, the dots are visible. Some modelers print their own decals, but the dots can become very visible in digital photography!

Pantone Matching System - Often called "PMS", this is also a standard for the printing process. It uses solid colors that were arrived at by mixing individual inks. 

Munsell - Munsell is a standard used in the traditional paint industry.

Pennsy Colors

The PRRT&HS Paint Committee labored long and hard under the capable leadership of Carl Izzo to produce some 20 paint determinations using the Munsell model. These are available as loaner color cards if desired by manufactures. No warrantee is made or implied that these colors are exact, or that viewers will think that they are correct. In fact, a number of these colors may appear very different from those expected, however they are based on the best possible match and intensive research. Colors also appear very different under different light sources and thus, while we made every effort to work with a variety of light sources (sun, incandescent, fluorescent) these colors may differ under your specific lighting conditions.

We, as users, owe a great debt of gratitude to the efforts of the Paint Committee.

Pennsy Paints for Modeling

The following table shows colors picked by reputable PRR model builders.

To the right, the Munsell numbers that have been determined by the PRRT&HS Paint Committee have been provided.

Note: Polly Scale was a brand in the Floquil line which was owned by Testors. It is no longer available. Microscale offers a paint conversion chart to replace Polly Scale colors. If using substitutes, it is recommended that you make a test swatch before proceeding on your models.