Can anyone out there advise me on which are the closest matches for VIA rail blue, yellow and silver. I want to repaint some amtrak F40’s for my “Canadian.” Also does anyone make a representation of the airconditioner box on the cab roof?
Many thanks
Scalecoat Via Yellow. Via Blue and CPR Diesel Gray.
David B
Thanks. I am not sure we have a supplier over here in UK but I’ll look out for them.
Best wishes
Will
You can order the decals from Microscale off their website as well as the “Finishing System Pack” It has the Micro sol, Micro set, Micro mask, Kristal clear (for making windows) . I painted some P42’s with Accu-paints and Microscale decals. I am reasonably satisfied but after several soakings with Microsol/set the decals still leave a bit to be desired. Isn’t there a huge hobby shop in London with several floors and one dedicated to model trains? I was over in London years ago and couldnt believe the stuff that place had. You could always order on-line from some Internet sites if they don’t have what you need. Good luck and keep us posted?
MicroSet is for pre-softening and setting the decals, MicroSol is for getting them to snuggle down, you may still have to slit open air bubbles/pockets before each application of MicroSol.
I prefer Champs Decal Sol. It has more of a punch then the MicroScale stuff. But, to each his own.
David B
I have not found a uk supplier on-line (and the best are not in London either!) but the accu-paints seem to be dissolved in xylene which I would prefer to avoid as I tend to have to negotiate some time in the spare room to spray. (Plus I know what it can do to you in the long term and it is not pleasant!). Until I get my spray booth (not imminently), I have been using acrylics for most projects as the spray is a lot less offensive and everything is easy to clean. Are there any similar colours in Polly Scale? Looking at the list of PS paints and some photos on railpictures, is CNW yellow close enough to VIA yellow and is their CP grey a bit dark? Which of their blues if any are close enough to VIA Sapphire blue?
My transfers are by highball graphics but I was only going to use the flags, Canada and VIA logos and paint the blue on the sides of the locos and coaches as I prefer the finish of painted lining to decals.
Also, has anyone tried the F40 chips by mrc (I know what the first post in return will say but I have several in GP40s, AC4400s, SD40s, a P42 and they have all worked fine and make my non-sound locos so boring in comparison that my sons won’t use them!!). What I want to know is how loud they are and whether or not I can get away with at least one cheaper non-sound chip among my three locos. While all three will feature on my Canadian, I intend to split one off every so often for a smaller train leaving it with two. So, will that be enough?
Also, any suggestions on A/C units on the cab?
Will A
I found couple of bottles of Poly S in my paint box: 410460 VIA Yellow (gloss) and 400430 VIA Blue (gloss) first number on blue bottle is blurred, I think it is a 4. Hope those numbers help. I think you can order these over the “net” and have them sent by air-mail. Some paints cannot be sent due to WHYMS rules but I think Acrylics (water based) paints are ok to send in mail. Go to the microscale web site and see if the decals 87-667 Via Rail Canada Locomotives 1979-92 are closer to what you need.
They are not showing up on the testors website, even with a search on name or number! and then a trawl through the listings. I have e-mailed their customer service and will see what they come up with! Failing that I will go see if any UK model railway or humbrol paints will fit the bill as it is looking like this might be the easiest option!
I’ll keep you posted!
Just a heads up Dave, Scalecoat is very tough to get across the border because of how ScaleCoat is made. Scalecoat is considered Toxic and takes much longer to clear customs as it falls under hazardous material.
If it contains xylene this toxic and teratogenic. I want to be around a while longer to enjoy my model railroad! That’s why I now stick to acrylics.
That is why you need friends that move across the border all the time. T and S carries most of the CN SIG Scalecoat line.
David B
True Line Trains recently released a line of Canadian color paints here in Canada. Thay are made by Polly Scale so are free of hazardous chemicals and I see the colors include CN blue #18, CN Yellow #18, and CP Grey, the colors I suspect you need. I recently picked up a couple bottles at Maritime Hobbies and Crafts in Halifax NS and I know they do mail order.