I know that the majority of us paint our scratch built boxcars ‘Boxcar Red’, i.e. Krylon Ruddy Red Primer, but what would be some other colors appropriate to that era? Thinking as well, colors that are commonly available in ‘rattle cans’.
light grey, black, pale yellow
I use the krylon rudy brown. You can alos do a nice weathered white look.
Ohh, I like the light grey. Always liked it on early US equipment for whatever reason.
EDIT: okay just noticed subject is NG boxcar colors.
V&T is not NG but they did own Carson and Colorado before selling it off to SP.
Will have to look to see if V&T painted C&C cars same colors as V&T.
Randy McDonald said:Uhh, which era?
... but what would be some other colors appropriate to that era?
Quote:Virginia & Truckee early on used an ochre-ish color which probably could be represented with Panzer dark yellow - I haven't gotten around to seeing if that comes in a spray though, but it would make sense for it to.
Thinking as well, colors that are commonly available in 'rattle cans'.
Okay, got around to it 
And have not yet looked at this in real life to see how suitable it is - MM Spray FS30266 Afrika Mustard by Testor Corp.
http://www.testors.com/products/136254
Tamiya make this http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=72
Spray Lacquer TS-3 Dark Yellow
Not sure if it might be too greenish, again, haven’t yet tried actual paint.
Randy
On the Kaslo and Slocan Railway, a sub of the Great Northern here in the West Kootenays, the cars were left natural. After a few years of service they weathered to a nice flat grey color.
Ron
Thanks guys for all the helpful hints, now I got some options. And Yes Forest, NG steam about 1900 and later.
Randy McDonald said:Ahhh, okay. My mind went toward what might be called its 'default setting' of the 1800s where my main interest is, and when (I think?) a lot of NG lines got started in late 1800s.
And Yes Forest, NG steam about 1900 and later.