Gray Paint Color for GN Blue Sky Scheme?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hi Folks,

I’ve got a couple of HO engines that are of the Great Northern Blue Sky Theme, and I’m wondering which Polly S color comes closest to matching the gray that’s used above the white bar in the paint; i.e., the top of the locomotive.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Phil

2

Phil–

The Polly S pre-mixed color that comes closest to the prototype color appears (to me at least) to be Grimy Black. None of the Poly S grays comes close to the prototype GN color, or to any of the grays used by model manufacturers (Athearn, Atlas Intermountain, etc.).

Your best bet might be to complete your modifications or detailing work, then mask the model and airbrush all of the area above the white stripe (as well as the pilots, steps, trucks, fuel tanks, etc.) with Grimy Black.

–John