BLI Dreyfus Hudson and MTH 20th Century Limited passenger cars

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Do the paint schemes for the BLI Dreyfus Hudson (1940 paint scheme) and the MTH 20th Century Limited (1940 scheme) coaches match?

2

That’s the exact combo I have, Scale. They match just fine and look great together. [tup]

Tom

3

Thanks, Tom. Exactly what I needed to know. Much appreciated. JHF

4

Scale,

I double-checked the colors of my BLI Hudson and MTH 20th Century Limited passenger cars again. While the light gray of the locomotives is slightly lighter than the gray on the MTH cars, the dark gray stripe on the tender and cars is pretty much an identical match.

Tom

5

Some of us “old time” passenger nuts cringe at the term coaches… THE Century, of course, was all Pullman and from 1938-on was an all room (no open sections) train. Many of the other railroad’s premier trains were all Pullman and some, like the Century, charged an extra fare just for the privelige of riding a first class train of De-Luxe accommodations… coaches? (well, in 1958 the Century was combined with the Commodore Vanderbilt and carried overnight 44 seat coaches for a period until, I believe 1962 when she went all Pullman again until the trains demise in Dec. 1967.

OK… I cleared the air on THAT subject…didn’t mean to lecture, but some of us purists get fussy about such stuff.

So, as someone wiser than I once said, a pitcher is worth a thousand worms… or words to that effect.

This shot (with a point-n-shoot, sorry for the poor depth of field) shows the BLI Hudson with the MTH cars under 2700k LED lighting.

Here’s a tighter shot under the same lighting. I have to admit that the MTH striping is a little crisper and as far as color goes… who knows? The experts can argue 'til they’re blue in the face… even gray paint can confuse the eye.

Here’s the same shot under lighting with the addition of GE Reveal 50 Watt PAR lamps. From the hundreds of photos I’ve looked at from this era regarding the Ce

6

Terrific responses and info, Ed! I sit happily corrected about “coaches.” There is a difference and they are, of course, much more accurately referred to as “cars” or Pullmans.

The photos are a real service to all and are “above and beyond.” Much appreciated!

I have a local train show next weekend. I know what I’ll be looking for now for sure! Thanks again.

JHF

7

Tom –

Received the BLI Dreyfuss and MTH five-car consist yesterday from M.B. Klein. Am delighted! Thanks for your help! JHF

8

Ed – An extra Thank You for your commentary that was so helpful in my decision. I’m delighted with the way the cars and engine/tender match up! Much appreciated. JHF

9

Glad it worked out for you, Hogger!

My “Century” is up to 12 cars since I broke down and bought another 2 car add on 13 Br./10-5 set even though the car names were duplicated I removed the names with alcohol and plan to re-decal them. I wanted to make sure all the paint matched and if MTH ever re-ran the cars there’s a chance the paint won’t match… that’s IF they ever re-run them.

I have to give credit to MTH. These cars are nearly perfect (a glitch or two slipped in, though) and they roll extremely well! My BLI Hudson handles all twelve cars up a 2% grade with no hesitation) and the lighting is unsurpassed in an HO model! I’m equally pleased with the Empire State Express cars from MTH as well.

Glad you are a happy camper! Ed

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Glad you are pleased with them, Scale. They do indeed look nice together.

I do hope that MTH releases additional TCL cars at some point. According to the rep I talked to at the WGH Tour back in January, they are getting a number of requests for another diner.

Tom