Fact Check Red Comet Sets Please Help

1936 version

1935 version

Yes, I think you have it correct.

Hi Dennis, thanks for your response. Great trains by the way.  I am in the middle of a restore of what I think is an original 1936 Red Comet Set.  I have noticed that the Hennnings color is a little bit too Red.  I painted the steam chest and compared it to the original 603 passenger car.  The passenger car is  more orange.  Possibly just fade.  Ill post after I get it done.  

In my opinion there are some differences in shade of the red.  It changed over time such that I think th 35 and 36 versions are two different shades of Red.  It is defined as the 517 red. But I think the later cars are more vermillion with a really orangeish tint to the red.  The repro color isn't too bad though.  Did you paint with an airbrush or did you use the rattle cans?  Just curious. Be careful, the 217 red is more dark red.

The 1936 sets to my eye are the same paint as was used on the 3659 dump car bins.  When waxed up it is a beautiful red.

So for me, I had picked up one 1935 set for restoration and then a second that was in physically better shape.  Problem was I was not satisfied with the shade of the Red.  At some point, the set above came available at a great price and I was the only bidder for some reason.  Its all original with no touchup.  Frankly, it cost about the same as the junker sets plus paint plus a cab plus a set of wheels...  Just saying, its something to consider. The original is... well, original... and the shade of Red is right on as well.

Oh, I airbrush with a cheap Paasche H single action thingy.  The red is what the old man recommended at Hennings but it's definitely a bit Red.  That said, it could be that when its completely dry, I can fade it a bit. Need to leave it outside for a week or so in the sun- lol

Oh, Your original set is outstanding.  If I could get that, I would.  

Thanks, I kind of got lucky, you know right place, right time.  They are out there, just have to be patient and ready to jump when the time comes lol.  I have a Paashe brush as well.  I'm not too good at using it yet but hopefully in time I will get better.  I have a lot of junk I can practice on lol.

I enjoy restoring junk. That said, a beautiful all original 35 set like yours is a great find.  As far as brushing, its no problem as I brushed model cars before I got into trains. I checked my paint can and its a 517 Hennings Collector Color. Maybe you can fade the paint a bit after it dries.  I use an oven to bake the enamel on, but they don't really dry completely for a week or so.  I use Naphtha to thin the paint and that formula in CA has changed to add VM&P crap as of late.  This stuff used to dry faster and spray better with the old formula.  

Why not try adding some orange paint to the red to change it up?

Lionel tank car orange might work.

You could try that, adding orange, You would need to have an understanding of paint mixing  ie add a little orange to red or vise versa.  I don't think it is intuitive. It would almost be worth taking an old part to a paint store and having them mix a color.

Looks really nice what you have painted so far. You can get the repro headlight rings as well if you want to put one back in it.  I would think you would almost need to turn a couple of tools to seat it and expand it.  Any backyard stuff on that ring would show up and ruin that beautiful paint job.

BTW, that City of Denver looks great as well.  Which number colors did you use on that?  Years ago I got stuck with a lighter shade of both colors and was disappointed.

On the 636w the brown is the same Collector color as my 752e resto called 752 Brown.  The yellow is also Hennings 2023 UP Yellow.  I would speculate that UP is Union Pacifc. The train was air brushed with the H then baked in the little oven in the picture.  I dont trust my eye to try mixing in orange.  I am going to fade the paint however by exposing the train when its finished to infared. I am told that this techinique will make the train look older and will slowly fade it to the same color as the unrestored passenger cars.  Well see

By the way, where do you get repo headlight rings?  Are they nickel?  I have the original but its in bad shape.

Ugh, My bad, I meant ultraviolet not infared.... 

Try Jeff Kane at Train Tender or Harry Henning.  I know Jeff has the head light, not sure if Harry does.  Jeff also has repro cabs both with and without the backhead and he has the production MTH cab from their recent releases which fits the old engine's perfectly as well.  The MTH cab is a little tougher casting.  A previous cab I bought was very soft.

Here is the MTH cab for reference:

Good to know on the Yellow, I think the yellow I got (like 20 years ago) was way to light as was the brown and they were both described as being 363 yellow and brown.  I'll get the 752 Brown and maybe the 2023 Yellow and go that route.  I have the 636E set and a Flyer City of Denver to paint and finish.  Both have been apart for about 20 years .

I guess another comment on the Red shades.  For me it is really hard to actually see the difference in shade from a picture.  Its when I am looking at it closely in good light that the Vermillion really stands out.  Who knows, the 517 Red might even get closer after a polish and or buff??  I don't know, one thing I am not is a Paint expert! I think the 517 Red is really close to the Red on my 1935 set, but not so much to the 1936 cars I have... I guess it just as simple as how close do you want it to be....

Just sent Jeff an email.  That MTH cab is smoothest repo I have seen yet.  I am going to go with those from here on out.

One note, it has cutouts in the floor for the electrical stuff in MTH engines.  You could fill them, but just know they are there.

Dennis, Check with the Harry on the paint numbers first to be sure it what he recommends.  My paint can is 2023 yellow, but the color chart on the Hennings site lists 2023 as satin yellow.  Best to make sure first and see what Hennings recommends.  I ordered the parts for the Comet resto from Jeff today. Many thanks, T