V&O Blue

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I got the notification that my SD9 has shipped from Tony's. That means it's time to get serious about painting it.

Do any of you have thoughts or recommendation on a good choice for V&O blue?

[Missaberoad]

McClelland used a custom mix of floquil dark and light blue (on the original pre Appalachian Lines scheme at least)

I would look at a Nickel Plate Road blue (in my search I found a picture of one of Tony's PA units next to a v&o unit and it would be close to the later blue)
 
...or perhaps a CNJ or CSX blue. There's a comment in the V&O story that B&O and C&O were both too dark for Allen's taste.

I imagine any color that is close with some coal service weathering would look perfect.

[Sokramiketes]

Whatever you end up doing, I think it would be most iconic to match the look and feel of the blue as we remember it in print in slightly washed out 1980's printed photos. 

I was thinking about this the other day... someone posted a photo of a Lehigh Valley switcher on fine cinder ballast with bright emerald green trees along side.  It looked so much like Rich Yourstone's stuff, that I realized he figured out the color palate for his modeling from the print material that showed off the LV best.  And made those images 3D in N scale.  And that meant dying his own emerald green ground foam.

So regardless of the right mix of floquil paint to nail the actual color used, model for the look and feel that everyone that didn't see it in person remembers. 

[basementcalling]

If you go a tad darker than needed you can always fade it some as part of the weathering,  or will this be a pristine unit?

[Point353]

In the following post, someone paints an F7 for the V&O using Tamiya TS-15 blue spray paint.
https://www.reddit.com/r/modeltrains/comments/161xo04/my_completed_vo_f7_the_virginian_decal_stuck/
https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/spray-ts-plastics/ts-15-blue/

[chessie system fan]

Mike, I think you're right.  I hadn't thought about it before in quite those terms, but considering I model an era before I was born and a part of the country I've only been to once (in the wrong season), I instinctively aim for the same target.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Whatever you end up doing, I think it would be most iconic to match the look and feel of the blue as we remember it in print in slightly washed out 1980's printed photos. 

I was thinking about this the other day... someone posted a photo of a Lehigh Valley switcher on fine cinder ballast with bright emerald green trees along side.  It looked so much like Rich Yourstone's stuff, that I realized he figured out the color palate for his modeling from the print material that showed off the LV best.  And made those images 3D in N scale.  And that meant dying his own emerald green ground foam.

So regardless of the right mix of floquil paint to nail the actual color used, model for the look and feel that everyone that didn't see it in person remembers. 

That's a really interesting point. I'm doing the SD9 from the Woodland Scenics ad, so that'd kinda make sense.

I'll probably look for something close from Tamiya, since that's easily available and the OG was a custom mix anyway.

Does anyone know how accurate the Fox Valley color was? I might just try and match that.

[basementcalling]

That's a really interesting point. I'm doing the SD9 from the Woodland Scenics ad, so that'd kinda make sense.

I'll probably look for something close from Tamiya, since that's easily available and the OG was a custom mix anyway.

Does anyone know how accurate the Fox Valley color was? I might just try and match that.

It looks a touch dark to my eye compared to the WS advertisement and what I've seen in print in the V&O story book.

[Cajonpassfan]

Lighting is everything. I bet Allen would be flattered and pleased..
Otto

[Sokramiketes]

I'm faintly remembering at the time of creation, that FVM worked with Allen on the (and Tony K on the Allegany Midland) units, and some decisions were made about how the railroads would have updated over the years.  So the FVM blue may be darker for a reason, Allen's reason. 

Eric B turned down a production of Utah Belt units, would would have been awesome in the series too. 

[muktown128]

Use Conrail Blue and make them V&O patch jobs

[Canadian-Atlantic]

Any updates on your SD9? What brand of decals are you going to use?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Circus City.  I THOUGHT I had already ordered them, but I just did today. They should be here Thursday.

I think I've decided on BAR Blue, based on the paints I have. But I'll see what matches the decals when they get here.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Quick progress snap.

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[Canadian-Atlantic]

That looks really sharp!