Not to get greedy, but it would be nice to see the builders plates included in these decal sets, so many decal sets don't include them.
Tom, I agree with this issue. You have to buy a whole sheet (set) of builders plates. As per the subject of the Yellow striping, yellow is a mysterious color to replicate. If you put it on say a grey background compared to a black background it will look different. I always thought Frisco used "Dulux Gold". This was used on the F units. Is this the same color used on the GP's and GE units as well? John
I will mention the builders plates to Hubert next time I talk to him. That's a cool detail to add. Are there any other details we want to add? Joe
Ok for everyone to see what I am trying to describe, not for sake of argument but for consensus and to put everything I am looking at in one frame, here it is; the color chart from Joe, the picture from Tom and my frame of reference, a photo my dad took in 1963. I use my dad's photo because the rest of the colors (foliage, sky, grass) are not washed out or over-saturated and the lighting is good. I will defer to everyone else but if we are all looking at the same image and comparisons in one frame, regardless of lack of color correction from monitor to monitor, we should be able to identify a close match.
That is an excellent idea, Keith. I have taken your idea and gone in a bit different direction by comparing the color swatches on a freshly painted unit. Both the prototype picture and the color swatches are NOT color-altered in anyway: Straight from the original photos. Here's the picture used, one of GP7 570 taken at Amory MS, April 16, 1961. Note that it HAS been recently repainted into one of the simplified schemes: I chose the above pictures because the colors are not washed out. Note how the greens are still quite green, same for the blues/etc. Now, here's a cut of the "FRISCO" lettering and the side sill stripes WITH color swatches pasted in place: The first thing we notice is there may be variation in the lighting (or whatever) that makes the side sill stripes appear just a shade richer (ever so slightly a darker yellow) than the "FRISCO" lettering. Also apparent is that we're NOT going to get a perfect match, not with the choices of yellow we're given. Thus, we WILL likely have to accept what we consider the lesser of the evils. What say troops? Does the above help? If so, which color swatch seems to be the best compromise?
OK .. I am gonna settle this for everyone! I choose: R+2.5W+Y ... there! It's done. lol Andre said it best: "Thus, we WILL likely have to accept what we consider the lesser of the evils." For the record - Tom's "step" panel to me looks best? Nose strips seem too yellow?
I agree with Sherrel on the color, R+2.5W+Y. The voting between R+2W+Y and R+3W+Y seems to be the same. Can we all agree with that. I need to let Hubert Mask know what we decided. Joe
None of them are a perfect match in my picture above, but I still go with R+2W+Y. I would rather go with it because I think it leans toward the "Dulux" color that I recall was used and moves it more safely away from ending up too "lemon" colored.
For what little my opinion is worth I agree, that staying away from the lemon color is important. Decal color can be lightened much easier than darkened even after it is on a model. With yellow making them as opaque as possible is the main thing to me so the black does not bleed through. On the 1:1 was all the stripinig done in 3M tape and all the lettering painted? Which would make a color difference even on the prototype? Thanks for all the work on this guys!!!
Steve, the yellow striping was done in paint from the beginning, however, in late years some 3M Scotchlite material may have been used in small quantities; it was fairly expensive. I had some yellow pinstripes put on my black Celica that were 3M Scotchlite. I have seen pictures of a few GP7s in the late 70's with the horizontal bars or square on the nose apparently reflecting light.
On the 1:1 that I have seen. The stripes or in this case yellow was painted on. Then the yellows masked off Then the black or darker colors.
Thanks for the info guys. I am young enough that I only saw a couple B&Y locos in person and that was when I was young and a long time ago. This has been an educational thread for me for sure, I appreciate it. I cant wait for these decals either. I have several projects I plan for them.
Congratulations, you guys have worked hard on the color and reached a consensus with R+2W+Y. I will call Hubert Mask on Monday and let him know what we decided. Thank you for your help on this project. Joe
Brandon, when the RS-1 locomotive decals are manufactured the AT&N sub-lettering will be included. Joe
With a little luck,, we may have an announcement this week. I will know more details later in the week. Joe
I talked to Hubert Mask yesterday about the "Builder Plates" and he said that several other people already print them. Something about the lay-up makes it difficult to print and that he won't be doing them. It was worth a try. Joe
