I am modeling B&LE tunnel motors for my HO layout. Anyone have ideas on the correct Orange color for this railroad? Pictures of this railroad seem to indicate that this shade of orange fades over time but I would like to replicate the color as painted. “new”. Any assistance is appriciated.[:D]
MILW orange looks like a good match. In fact, B&LE’s and MILW’s paint schemes are almost exaclty alike.
Floquil’s Reefer Orange is supposed to be dead on. B&LE orange always seemed a lot darker than MILW.
For many years, Testor’s orange was recommeded for B&LE locomotives. I recently checked it out at my LHS and it looks a lot lighter than it used to be. The reefer orange shades offered by Floquil and Scalecoat also look too light. I have a bottle of Modelflex Illinois Central orange that looks closer to the right shade, maybe with a little of brown or black added to darken it slightly. I am also looking to try some Scalecoat IC orange also, it is my prefered paint.Also, you might want to stock up on B&LE decals from Champ before they cease production. I have not found any other sources yet. Maybe Microscale will eventually produce decals. Recently they brought out P&LE decals which were previously only available from Herald King. Good luck and good modeling.
I just stocked up on the decals from champ. Very pleased with their assistance and the decals. Not an easy roadname to find out there.
In the end I might try mixing some paints and spraying on scrap to see how they look.
Thanks for the assistance all…
This thread is ten years old, I know. But since question is relevant to me. I cant attest that Reefer Orange IS NOT a match, as I used it as the lighter patch when I covered up the B&LE logo. I do need to paint some handrails and other parts so any help is appreciated!
Current Photo
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=504432&nseq=0
From 2003
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=116422&nseq=1
Hope this helps. There are some fresh out of the shop photos at Proctor somewhere on the net.
I apologize for maybe not being more specific. I live in Duluth and I see the Bessemer engines frequently. I was more curious about which paint color produced for modelers more closely matches Bessemer orange. Thanks!