Can anyone who has received their MTH Norfolk & Western E-8 ABA set tell me whether the color on that set is the same as depicted on this NS Norfolk & Western ES44AC Heritage unit? Or if not, how does it differ? Thanks.
- Mike
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That was called "Pevler Blue" after the President of the Wabash RR, who became the President of the N&W after the merger with the Wabash and Nickel Plate in about 1964, I think. Naturally that color was not a big hit with the N&W employees what with the loss of their famous N&W "Tuscan Red" passenger styling.
The NS heritage unit is the correct color but, I have no idea whether any models of the "Pevler Blue" are correct.
I like the color and yes the color on the E8's should be the same. I have seen the E8's and they look very nice.
Here's some pictures of an Alco unit at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. It's a lot lighter than the MTH paint job. Is this Pevlar blue?
Here's some pictures of an Alco unit at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke. It's a lot lighter than the MTH paint job. Is this Pevlar blue?
No, it isn't even close!
I have seen the E8's and they look very nice.
Hey David, how's it going? So you've seen the E-8s in person? Is the color the same as the one in my photo?
Here's a pristine example of Pevler Blue.
It puts the "N" in nasty.
Gilly
I like the blue. I actually like the N&W E-units better than the blue Wabash scheme.
Jeff C
I have seen the E8's and they look very nice.
Hey David, how's it going? So you've seen the E-8s in person? Is the color the same as the one in my photo?
Yes, pretty much. I think it looks great. Mr. Muffin also posted a picture, he was having a sale going on at his store a couple of days back On the E8's
I've always liked this version:
I have an 1979 Athearn HO N&W Trainmaster that's just a bit darker than that.
Being Herman Pevler was president of the Wabash before coming to the N&W, I would think the Wabash color would be the one to compare.
I know how you old N&W guys feel about the Pevler Blue, but after seeing nothing but N&W/NS black engines and coal drags all the time down here around Norfolk I'd welcome a change in color.
I found this issue to be of interest and looked in my Morning Sun book that covers N&W in the era of Pevler blue. I found numerous shades of blue from the one at the top of this column to the two at the bottom. I also found two images of units right out of the paint shop that looked very much like the one that Mr Muffin posted from MTH.
The book did mention that the Pevler blue color rapidly oxidized, which was mentioned in the previous post originated by Mr Muffin.
So...I've ordered a set of the E8s from Mr Muffin. When they get here I'll let you know what I think, and attach a couple of images. I rode both the "Powhatan Arrow" and "Pocahontas" several times out of Cincinnati in the mid/late 60s. Both my trains were a mixed bag of black and blue GPs, and N&W tuscan and Pevlar blue passenger cars.
My last pre-Amtrak trip in a Pullman was a roomette in "McDowell County" from Lynchburg to Cincinnati over spring break, 1971. I've got some decals from ShellScale and will convert one of the N&W "blue" cars to a car for which I have a sentimental, now 44-year old attachment.
I have seen the E8's and they look very nice.
Hey David, how's it going? So you've seen the E-8s in person? Is the color the same as the one in my photo?
Yes, pretty much. I think it looks great. Mr. Muffin also posted a picture, he was having a sale going on at his store a couple of days back On the E8's
Thanks. yes, I did see Steve's post about the E-8 sale. In his photo, though, I thought the MTH color looked very dark, a lot more toward the black end of the spectrum, which was why I was curious to hear the opinions of people who have seen the real thing.
I've always liked this version:
I agree with you, Bob, I really like that picture as well.
Mike,
Photos don't do the MTH N&W E8's justice IMO. I also thought they were a little dark in the photo but seeing them at Nickalos Smith I thought they were very nice. I'm even thinking of buying a set they look that good and I don't model or have any N&W equipment.
Mike,
I have not had time to take pictures of these engines.
If they looked like the photo you posted I would not complain.
They are actually dark purple looking not blue, imho.
Mike - for what it's worth (maybe not much), here's a shot of my MTH ES44AC in that N&W color. Did a white balance before shooting; no other toning. Daylight through window with slats. It's in Adobe RGB 1998. Just for comparison with the MTH pic you posted.
I've over-committed on other items arriving, or I'd try to get one of those MTH set E-8 sets.
David
Mike - for what it's worth (maybe not much), here's a shot of my MTH ES44AC in that N&W color. Did a white balance before shooting; no other toning. Daylight through window with slats. It's in Adobe RGB 1998. Just for comparison with the MTH pic you posted.
I've over-committed on other items arriving, or I'd try to get one of those MTH set E-8 sets.
David
Thanks David. Check the first post...you and I have the same engine!! 
It's a beauty isn't it? I'm kind of in the same boat as you...I had ordered some stuff, in particular, the New York Central E-8s that are on the same page as the N&W ABAs in that 2014 catalog. It was hard choosing between the two. I am looking forward to maybe seeing these in person at some table at York!
Mike - sorry, I must have either misread your original post, or got confused later in the thread. I was thinking it was an MTH pic, rather than yours. Yes, the ES44AC is a great-looking engine. Go for the E-8, if you can!
David
No need to apologize. I get confused here all the time! 
Guys.....is this Pevler Blue?
....I borrowed this pic from another thread on PWC vs CC......
Peter
Guys.....is this Pevler Blue?
....I borrowed this pic from another thread on PWC vs CC......
Peter
Technically, that's Wabash blue. Two things, a correct color on the correct livery. AND Wabash probably did a better job with blue paint jobs than N&W did. Pevler Blue wasn't an exact match for Wabash blue. But, since it began oxidizing almost immediately, at some point (for at least an hour) I'd say yes it was pretty close.
To give fans a taste of how Pevler Blue was received by N&W employees; try repainting a UP Armor Yellow passenger consist Tuscan Red with Gold trim and see how well that's received.
Gilly
It's gorgeous, enjoy!
Peter
Here is what the Norfolk & Western E8s and two passenger cars of the set look like. In terms of the shade of the blue, I've checked all my books on this era on N&W and they look "close enough" to being freshly painted...but not old enough where the paint has begun to oxidize. I'm satisfied.
One thing I have concluded from looking at both N&W and Wabash color images, "Wabash blue" and "Pevlar blue" were not the same shade.
The train on the PSA is "Now arriving on Track #1 from Chicago, Train #111, the 'Banner Blue.'" I love the way the announcer pronounces "Blue": "Bluuuuuuue." Towns #111 is arriving "at" are Decatur, Taylorsville, and Litchfield. #111 is departing for St Louis.
I'd like to see MTH bring out some Premier GP9s in this blue, and a blue heavyweight baggage car. For those of us east of the Wabash, i.e.- Cincinnati, we saw lots of blue N&W passenger cars in the mid-60s, but GP9s vice E8s were the power.
My only "unhappiness" is with the sleeper "McDowell County" which is still using that sleeper mold with the upper duplex windows which I detest. When I get around to it, I'll gloss one of the coaches and add "McDowell County" lettering and a visual block in the interior...as well as replace that coupler below the "Banner Blue" tail sign with a Kadee coupler.
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