Just picked up my A-B-A set of Pa’s by Precision Craft Models. They are very nicely done. The detail is sharp and from my references quite accurate but for one glaring error. It appears to me from every color photo I have in my references that the nose should be painted in a yellow,but the model’s nose is painted in an “Orange” . Even taking fading into account this color would never have become yellow as there is too much red in it.The color on the PCM model more closely resembles Anschutz Orange which is a much later color.Before the models were released I sent PCM a copy of an excellent head on shot of the “gold nose” PA clearly showing the yellow color of the nose.I know the difference between orange and yellow. In the FS-595 color chips they are in completely different sections. If I’m Wrong can anyone show me a color photo of the silver PA’s with this orange colored nose,because so far all my photos show an Aspen Yellow nose.Also incorrect is the start point of the “wave” on the nose.The model starts it at the door seam when photos clearly show it originated probably some 6-8 inches outboard of the door seams. Again most photos show this clearly.This is not nit-picking as the paint scheme is the most prominent feature of this beautiful locomotive. I can only hope that PCM has not aquired the attitude of it’s sister company BLI,who when questioned about the inaccuracy of their NYC E-7’s colors responded by saying “our colors are accurate. If you dont like it take it back to your dealer and get your money back”
Most companies will not admit to any mistakes or redo any major model run. If you have pictures that are not faded, you might be correct on this issue, but you will probably not be able to convince PCM of the error. The problem is, this paint job was done almost sixty years ago now and accurate color pictures are probably non existan
The Santa Fe Fs from BLI/PCM are awful as well. The red doesn’t come close. I haven’t seen the the Santa Fe PA/PBs from PCM, but I hope they didn’t make the same mistake with those as well.
If I remember correctly the DRGW named this the Aspen Leaf Paint scheme. I believe you are correct that this was supposed to be a lighter color. it was referred to as Aspen Gold (same color as the stripes on the black bubble bee units) and the dominant color on the later F units.
I believe you are correct saying the color is wrong but I will still enjoy having them as they are very nicely detailed. They have made a mistake but at the same time I still like it with the Orange.
The only resource I have is a very brief scene of the “Silver Lady” pulling what looks like the ‘Prospector’ down off of the Front Range in the prelude of a western movie called DENVER AND RIO GRANDE. If the Technicolor in the film is correct, the nose is certainly yellow–probably the same color as used on the yellow and black F-3 Rio Grande passenger units–and the original ‘Bumblebee’ color used on the passenger cars on the Silverton Branch. It’s hard to find many color photographs of the PA’s in that paint scheme, since it was so short-lived. I’ve always wondered why it was chosen by PCM to begin with. The original scheme of the PA’s was the black and yellow, then VERY BRIEFLY the ‘Silver Lady’, and then on to the ‘Grande Gold’ and silver scheme. It’s an attractive scheme, but REALLY short-lived.
Tom
Thanks to those of you that have answered my querey.You have reinforced my belief that the noses of the PA’s were indeed a bright yellow. Thank’s especially to Renegade. The photo you included matches 3 5x8 post cards I bought at the Portola Museum in '98.The yellow in your photo matches my postcards perfectly,as do all 3 of the pictures in Andy Romano’s book “PA Alco’s Glamour Girl”.Oh, though it’s usually written that the scheme was short lived my sources give a time period of August 1949 to sometime in 1952,nearly 31/2 years. While not as long lived as the 4 stripe it definitely out lasted the black with yellow stripes. Anyway once again thanks to all of you for your replies.Happy Railroading!
CAZEPHYR–
1952 sounds about right–that’s the year the film I was quoting came out, and I understand that Paramount, who released the movie, did all of the ‘contemporary’ diesel photography.
I was surprised to realize that the black and yellow was the ‘short-lived’ scheme–I always thought it lasted until 1951 or so. But I’m certainly not going to question Andy Romano–the guy really seems to know what he’s talking about, LOL!
Enjoy the “Glamour Girls.”
Tom [:D]
I’m pretty sure its the Aspen Leaf Paint scheme.
Anyway, I haven’t been able to see my PCM Units again until today. I have another set of PA’s in the roughly the same scheme but I accidently used Anshutz Orange instead of the Aspen Gold. There is a very noticeable difference between the two. The PCM unit are much more yellow but at the same time they are not exactly the same as the prototype. Below is a comparason between the Anshutz Orange that I accidently used and the Gold PCM used.
The one on the Right is an Athearn with Rio Grande orange. The one one the left is the PCM gold.
While not exactly the same used on the prototype it is closer to the prototype color than to the Later DRGW (Anshutz) color.
This is an interesting subject and a search found some answers. No pictures but the actual part number of the paint.
(A special thanks to Jim Eager, Jim Fitch, Bob Webber, and Steve Seguine for their help in researching and compiling this summary.)
Color Notes:
- Two shades of yellow are re
I found the same information at UtahRails.net It sure would be nice to have access to a Dupont color chip chart or to know the corresponding FS 595 colors as I have a set of the FS 595 color chips. Again by looking at Renegade’s PA’s it’s clear that the color on the PCM PA could never under the most extreme conditions fade to the yellow that appears in every photo of the “Aspen Leaf” PA’''s Yellows and Oranges are in 2 completely different color ranges in the FS 595 color charts. So as I say all we need is a DuPont color chip chart. Great researching guys!