Blue Comet colors

I had asked this question a while back and somebody had told me there's just a regular two tone blue and then there's an earlier version that looks more like a teal with a dark blue roof

Brass trim----teal blue body

Nickle trim----what I call baby blue.

Norm

Shades of blue are tough, because it walks tones as it is drying.

For Lionel prewar there are 3 distinct periods of color for the comet...early, middle, and late.  There are more than that... but they are very hard to document.

My set from around 1932 is noticeably a darker blue.

According to Greenberg's new Standard Gauge tome there are four different blues – Darker blue (1930-31); Medium blue (1931-34); Pure blue (1935); Light blue (1936-39).

Ron M

I hope I lose the auction for the 390E from Franks Round House. Have a feeling it is painted in Lionel Classics colors which would be late colors as the engine and cars have nickel trim. My brass trim cars are a dark color. MTH from 1999.

I was at URHS's Boonton yard yesterday. I saw a coach describing the colors. Either the Westphal or D'Arrest.

I have never seen a color photo of the real Blue Comet? Does one exist?

There is a restaurant in Pa where you can eat in a real Blue Comet car.  

You might be thinking of the Clinton station diner which is in New Jersey.

ron m posted:

According to Greenberg's new Standard Gauge tome there are four different blues – Darker blue (1930-31); Medium blue (1931-34); Pure blue (1935); Light blue (1936-39).

Ron M

Right.  The early period is from 1930-1934.  Bruce and some of his researchers wanted to label the color shift in 3 periods, some wanted it in 4.  I actually think there are 8 "variations" in the blues with some being distinctive and some being subtle. Oh, and it is different for the cars vs the locos.  The book refers to the cars mainly.

Bobby Ogage posted:

I have never seen a color photo of the real Blue Comet? Does one exist?

Unfortunately, no.