Not Very Happy With The Paint Colors

It all depends on lighting.

 

Ypu can paint a model with the exact paint the protoype uses and it will usually look wrong indoors.

 

Rusty

Really can't tell because of the lighting. Take the model out in the sun like the prototype was and then compair them. I am assuming (and maybe wrongly) that your indoor lighting is not daylight balanced.

Dan

Take it outside and photograph it in natural sunlight. Florescent lights cause a "yellowing" of colors and throws them off-balance.

Can't see much of a difference. Sorry.

Cameras pick up color in different ways. Remember that the prototype has also been out in the sun and weather.

 

From NS Heritage page, the Lackawanna "rolled out" June 27, 1999.

"Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became Norfolk Southern, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway (SR) and Norfolk and Western Railway (NW) in 1982. In 1999, Norfolk Southern expanded the scope of its heritage with its acquisition of a portion of Conrail (CR). The heritage locomotives represent most of the railroads that played significant roles in Norfolk Southern’s history. The first unit, Conrail 8098, rolled out of Altoona, Pa., March 15, and the final one, Lackawanna 1074, rolled out of Muncie, Ind., on June 27." 

 

Take a photo of yours outside or a bright sunny, clear day and compare. The Floquil PollyScale colors are another way to compare.

 

The yellow on the MTH looks a little brighter comparing the photos that you posted. Could be weathering. I am sure that NS or historical records would give a licensed modeler the color numbers or specifications. You have a fresh paint job.

 

What stands out to me is the Lackawanna on the MTH is not as bold and smaller.

 

It's a nice looking engine and very close in color.(again, by the photos)

 

It's what you think and like. If it really bothers you, return it. Perhaps try to see another in person. The mfg. paint could vary from batch to batch.

When I get a chance, Matt, I'll take it outside and take another shot for comparison.

Thanks for all your responses, guys.

 

Larry

I agree with those above- photograph it outside on a sunny day like the real engine. It's amazing what a difference lighting makes.

The prototype shot was taken in very bright sunlight and looks like it might be just a tiny bit overexposed, which would cause the grey to appear light. The model shot is about half a stop underexposed, making it appear dark. Also, the prototype photo was most likely shot on film, while the model shot, I assume, was made on a digital camera with self-adjusting white balance. Every  film has a certain color bias, and the self-adjusting white balance on inexpensive digital cameras is less than perfect. It is impossible to use the two photos to compare paint colors. This is not to say that the MTH colors might not be off; in my experience plenty of them are quite a way from correct, older versions of Milwaukee Road orange being a good example. 

I believe the prototype shot was taken using a Nikon D300 if I remember correctly when reading about Casey's gear

At least the real diesel unit has the correct "DL&W gray & maroon" colors, since Norfolk Southern required Dupont use ALL the original color formulations, as delivered from EMD, on ALL the NS heritage units (except of course for the Virginian, which never purchased any EMD units).

Photograph is all about the physics of light which includes/involves "color temperature."

 

If the model is photographed in same lighting, then only can a valid comparison be made.

 

 

Here are some of my shots of 1074 - 

Maybe this will help w/ the color - 

 

Spencer, NC - 7/4/12 by Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography, on Flickr

 

Spencer, NC - 7/4/12 by Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography, on Flickr

 

Spencer, NC - 7/4/12 by Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography, on Flickr

 

Roanoke, VA - 9/21/12 by Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography, on Flickr

 

Roanoke, VA - 9/21/12 by Christopher & Amy Cate / Eastern Rails Photography, on Flickr

The fact that MTH have decided to reproduce the paint with a more flat finish than the original (And Lionel) locomotives have may also affect the perception of colour.

Compare for yourself... I think the grey and yellow are spot on, though the maroon is a little darker and flatter on the model...

 

 

Wow, what a shot there Root Beer!! NICE!! Looks like the colors are very close-

Nice Shot RootBeerRail;

OK, So maybe a bit of masking and a shot of clear gloss to brighten the Maroon and you are golden.

It might not be perfect but it looks pretty close to me.

The Real engine is definitely gloss on that curve.

You will not see that curve on the model unless you are very close.

I agree - somewhat darker, but the biggest difference is that it's a whole lot flatter than the prototype. Makes it look pretty dull. 

The poster's photo of the NS loco shows the blue from the sky reflectng in the gray. On a cloudy day the color would be more like the model. Fred

Your model is spot on colorwise.  Leave it alone, it looks great!

I don't see much of a difference but one of the reasons I would go with the Lionel is the finish. I think it looks more protoyipical like an engine that just came out of the paint shop like the prototypes did.

The Heritage units I've seen out on the road don't look glossy anymore.

That would be my recommendation as well.  There are MANY variables involved in color rendition, including lighting conditions, sky conditions outdoors, how long the prototype has been in service, types of paints used (prototype vs. model), and many more.

 

Your model looks perfectly fine based on the photos provided.

Here's a daylight shot, the sun finally came out.

 

 

 Thank you everone for your comments.    I have no intention of having it repainted.

It is a very nice running engine. 

 

Larry