Nickel Plate(d) PAs

CentreKeystone · **Joined:** Fri May 01, 2020 12:46 pm **Posts:** 47

The first Nickel Plate Road PAs were painted blue and nickel. It was a clever idea which did not work out in practice.
(quote from "Nickel Plate Road Diesel Locomotives" by Kevin J. Holland, pp 14 & 16)

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Wed May 24, 2023 6:21 pm

This is interesting; all the photos I've seen, and the models, are in blue and white, or something that looks like that.

It makes me wonder what the "nickel" paint would have looked like.

It is likely that modern paints would stand up to washing compounds, especially if given the clear coatings that are so common in automotive finishes today.

Tacky3663 · **Joined:** Wed Jun 01, 2022 9:08 pm **Posts:** 39

What horn did the NKP PAs have?

CentreKeystone · **Joined:** Fri May 01, 2020 12:46 pm **Posts:** 47

Attachment:

Nickel Plated PA horns.jpg [ 94.24 KiB | Viewed 2994 times ]

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Nickel Plated PA180.jpg [ 104.56 KiB | Viewed 2994 times ]

Two excerpts from "Nickel Plate Road, Publicity Photos 1943-1952 Vol 1" by John B. Corns pp 46 and 113.
Unfortunately b&w, but the photo of a new PA shows the nickel paint on the loco and even the background of the logo. Also note the original single horn which was replaced as confusing to motorists at grade crossings.

jayrod · **Posted:** Fri May 26, 2023 2:37 pm

J3a-614 wrote:

It is likely that modern paints would stand up to washing compounds, especially if given the clear coatings that are so common in automotive finishes today.

Modern “metallic” paints don’t have metal that oxidizes in them. The binders are much better at standing up to harsh chemicals. UV inhibitors are incorporated into the base coating and clear coats if applied. In other words, commercial and industrial grade coatings are some really tough stuff.