Gary,

I also have to ask about the modified Combines turned blueliners, do you know if those windows were "stock" windows for other locomotive hauled coaches, or were they custom designed for those cars?

I've been trying to modify a few of the extra Reading MU bodies I have to look like these cars.

There has been some discussion of this in the past, and some of it may have been on the old site. I'm facing the same issue with a BCW combine. I've been watching the Pechulis Reading video a lot recently, having been enchanted with the scenes on the Perkiomen Branch. In the last days of the Perk mixed train, the combine used was painted in the two tone scheme. The dark green is definitely not Pullman green (it's several shades different from the paint on the RS3s and GP7s, which appears to be a close match to the traditional coach color).

Based on suggestions from an earlier post, I purchased Scalecoat II NH Hunter Green for the body of the car and SC II Southern Green for the window band. The colors (in the bottle) look pretty close, but I haven't painted yet. Any thoughts?

I don't think we will ever be able to get the green exactly. it will be up to everyones individual taste. on the prototype there were variances, if the paint crew in the shop came back from break or lunch and did not re-stir the paint it would go on in a different shade,I heard this was very noticable on the yellow paint on the yellow & green diesels. and I would imagine that different batches of paint weathered differently.

To all, some neat points have been brought up recently for starters Gary L's comment on interior, while working on another project of mine, Bee Line vol.9 no.2 Summer 1987, on the rear cover Ken Chamberlain made some field notes and in the were "inside an MU car" with color schemes and seat sketches with colors.
Next the never ending paint debate (glad this isn't PRR!!!) anyhow I am a firm believer in using lacquer thinner with Scalecoat I and II. Yes it works, but as Butch mentioned different variables will yield different shades. Also I use Testors Gloss (1161) and Dull (1160) cut with yep, lacquer. When sprayed at a higher PSI the solvent will all but dry not attacking the plastics involved. I posted a few works in progress of Scalecoat II Pullman green on wood, brass, and plastic, one paint three shades. I don't know the reasoning but the paint can be made to give this effect. The two baggage cars are flat coated with Testors 1160, while the combine is in gloss decal coat. Maybe this has some value, maybe not, any other tips out there??? Bill.

Bill,

I've used both Scalecoat I & II in the past. I used SC I to paint several brass steamers, and I've used SC II on diesels, passenger cars (solid Pullman green), as well as freight cars. I've always used SC thinners, but it's good to know that plain old lacquer thinner will work in a pinch.

Thanks for the rolling stock photos. What are the colors you used on the two tone coach? It looks good, whatever you used!

Robin

Ok I just spent 3hrs looking through my old Mainline Modelers for the artical on Pullman paint color change. I checked 1980 to 1989. OK! so I did get side tracked with RDG articals on boxcars, K-1 prints & photos, and others I didn't remember. The more I go through the mainlines the more I think I may have been in Model Railroading. I will keep checking.