All answers or opinions appreciated. I’m in the middle of my build and can’t decide whether to paint the diaphragm Black, Dark Gray, or Light Gray. Have also considered painting to match the car sides.
The car ends are the dark gray,but I don’t really feel that dark gray for the diaphragm will look right with the rest of the work. Thanks for your imput and reasoning behind your choice. Dave
Hmm, maybe black? I don’t know what colors were typically used for diaphragms on those things.
If memory serves, black was the color of the rubber used in most diaphragms between passenger cars. You won’t go wrong with that color.
Ray, Steve
Thanks black shows in some shots especially on the older equipment. Then a lot of newer seems to be a mid gray and stripes like the cars was a thought. So far black is it.
Dave
David, do you have prototype photos to share?
No Steve. This is for an articulated chair car I’m making out of two Aristo Pass. cars. Build to follow. Frame for diaphragm is made from memory and non working. Every once in a while you can come across a prototype photo on line. I usually search fallen flags.
Dave
Steve Featherkile said:I totally agree.....and flat black is great starting point. Like theater or women in black clothing it really hides a lot! ;)
You won't go wrong with that color.
David,
This might be open to debate but I believe color practices depended at least in part to the type of diaphragm used. On older heavyweights the diaphragms were generally narrower than the car end and would usually be black. On later light weight streamline or smoothside cars the diaphragms usually extended the full width of the car end and would often, perhaps usually, be painted to match the car side.
This is just from my own very limited observations so I can’t say it was the majority practice by any means. But if the diaphragms are full width I’d be inclined to paint them to match the car sides at least in the case of a streamlined train. Obviously prototype practice probably varied so choice of prototype would be the main criteria I’d think
Richard,
Thanks for the imput. These are the center of an articulted car build I’m doing. The cars are Aristo Craft streamliners (flute sided).I remember from my old HO days that these were usually gray or black, but the back of my mind holds onto an image of body colors. I’ve looked at a number of photos but it’s hard to find full width diaphragms so any help would be appreciated. As you can see most lean towards black and I think that would be the most common. Sure would be nice to follow proto type practice and follow thw color lines though.
Dave
Dave,
If you look through the equipment here, you will see gray, black and body color.
So I would say, go with what you like best.
Ralph
Ralph,
Thanks for the link. I’m going through it now.
Dave
Dave, What is the diapraghm material and will it hold paint and be able to flex and keep paint attached? I follow the what looks best rule. Since it is a private road name and not a specific prototype model do what looks the best. Personally I think the diapraghm would look best painted to match car sides as it in the middle of the car and extends to the sides of the body… provided the paint stays on. It might detract from the looks of the train if you had paint falling off the diapraghm. Paint a sample of material and paint it ,then flex it a lot and see if it holds up. If it cant be painted then go with a light grey as it wont seem to stand out like black would.
Good luck, dave
Dave,
I’m experimenting using touniquet material. The paint seems to beokay with a light coat but any build-up and it stiffens and the paint cracks.
I recall thin black rubber in wide (1" ) strips but can’t remember where.
I’ve also considered a light fabric glued to the rubber as a possibility for painting.
Dave
Dave,
I remember reading an old article in GR where Jack Verducci made them from some kind of fabric on some MTH cars. He was lengthing them or something…if someone doesn’t chime in I’ll see if I can find that article.
Dave,
I missed that article thanks for any info.
Dave
David Russell,
I usually have pretty good luck searching the model railroad magazine index: index.mrmag.com for specific articles.
However, this time no luck.
Are you sure it was GR? About how long ago? Are you sure it was Jack V? MTH? Passenger cars? (Could it have been diaphragms between locos?)
You could be correct, and the article just doesn’t show because the proper “key words” were not included in the article description by the mag index.
Thanks.
Joe Satnik
Edit: spelling
Joe Satnik said:
David Russell,I usually have pretty good luck searching the model railroad magazine index: index.mrmag.com for specific articles.
However, this time no luck.
Are you sure it was GR? About how long ago? Are you sure it was Jack V? MTH? Passenger cars? (Could it have been diaphragms between locos?)
You could be correct, and the article just doesn’t show because the proper “key words” were not included in the article description by the mag index.
Thanks.
Joe Satnik
Edit: spelling
ok I found it, the article starts in June 2007 and continues into August 2007 “Converting MTH coaches to full-length cars” the diaphragms are discussed in part 2 of august issue. He made flanges and springs from plastic and the bellows from linen tape that is used on canvas. hope this helps you Dave.
Joe and Dave,
Thanks.I just checked my copy of the August issue and got the info.Forgot the article was there.I’ll have to find my June issue. I’ll be picking up the tape tomorrow as I already have the flanges made.
Thanks again.
Dave
Dear David and Dave,
I think I figured out why no hit(s). The index quits showing GR articles after Aug. 2006. I’m not sure why.
Apparently the “Keyword Fairy” has not magically updated the listings.
I’m glad you guys found the article(s).
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Edit: added “Dear…”
changed MR to GR