Hey guys!

Let me start off that I'm just looking for opinions. I know its my model, and i can do with it whatever i want, but i am curious to see what you guys think would be the most ideal-

I just recently got a hold of three Brass E44A locomotive models. I can pretty much guarantee I'll never find or afford these again, so i wanted to make sure i choose wisely.

basically, i was already into electric railroads, but there was a photo that i really liked of three black E44s pulling a train in New Jersey that REALLY got me to go down the road of electric railroad.

on the other hand, the dark paint really obscures alot of the details. Its not that it covers them, but they were shallow to begin with, and flat black paint really makes them blend in with their surroundings. I figured one blue engine would be a nice change of pace and a realistic one. however, it ruins my 5 year dream of a three black unit match up.

A pair of black ones or a black and blue pair looks fine, but my mind seem unwilling to accept a three locomotive set with one blue loco mixed in.


given the limited choices, what would you do?

here are pictures for reference-

this is the original photo that got me hooked-



this is the unit i'd do if i painted one blue. its the earliest blue E44A i could find.

Blue...for the variety and the sense of progressive history on your layout.

don't have a oppinion about the color but if you use semi-gloss the details will stand out better.
jim

Quote:I can pretty much guarantee I'll never find or afford these again, so i wanted to make sure i choose wisely.

Ebay is like the weather, you never know whats going to be on there...

Blue. It will stand out better.

Well...Depending on the year I modeled..If early CR then I would use Black..If I modeled (say) 1980/81 I would have 2 blue 1 black.

It is strictly a gut feel choice. The hobby should thrill you at every manageable opportunity. Can you get the blue one repainted? Would you want to do such a thing to an otherwise nice model of that motor? How important is the historical significance of the two colours at any one time where you have them running on your layout?

You can weather the engines with a light greyish wash or powders and bring out details. Good lighting arrangements help....look at the bright sunlight in your image compared to the less than 10 times as bright lighting in the typical train room....probably flourescent to boot.

Just some thoughts. I really admire these particular engines myself, and would have one if my roads ran any. We can't have it all. But you have an opportunity here that is limited only by the extent to which your desire and knowledge are limiting your potential appreciation.

-Crandell

Hey, your dream is 3 black units, go for it. Black is a tough color to paint and not lose detail, but I've seen it done. I am not much of a painter but I'll ask a painter I know. I believe part of it is to use a paint such as loco black or grimy black rather than straight black. Also, weathering will pop out the details, drybrush white on the raised details. Wayne should be able to help you with this.

Here are a couple pics of a black steam loco, the closeup shows how well the details show, the other shows the loco is indeed black, not grey!

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If it were me, I'd do one in blue, because I like early Conrail. I'd want to be reminded that yes, there were a significant number of electrics in blue, just not GG-1s. That's part of why, if I were modelling early Conrail, I wouldn't do it before '78. There weren't enough blue units early on for Conrail to look interesting; solid ex-PC consists were the norm.

jglfan made a good point i never use carbon black if using black i either use a weathered black like payne's gray or ivory(bone) black both are a soft black . also a semi gloss or egg shell finish is better than flat.
jim

I agree with Gary: the black units were the ones that inspired you, and that image is a strong one that stays with you even today. Paint 'em all black. If you're meant to have a blue one, another unit will become available.

Floquil and PollyScale both offer a Weathered Black which is still black, but not too much so. Personally, I like to start with Engine Black, then lighten it to suit my tastes, using Reefer White and/or Grey Primer.
As Jim suggests, a semi-gloss will allow the details to show a little better on the un-weathered models, and a little weathering atop that will really make them "pop". Don't Dullcote after weathering unless you're doing a heavily weathered version - remember, the prototype wasn't painted in a flat finish.

Wayne

Oh wow, the vote is pretty much even! that is about where i still stand. I'm thinking the blue might be harder, i need more decals i can't find.

I have painted one unit into black, #4457. Its looking pretty good, it just needs some weathering.

I actually went with the Engine black, then put floquil "crystal coat" over the engine black (totally transformed the color, but in a good way, it went from flat to shiny, good for the decals), decal-ed, and sealed with more crystal coat. I put it back up on it's trucks, though i have not assembled it all the way ( I figure i should install DCC and stuff so i don't have to keep taking it apart.

once its back together loosely, I'll weather it, then use some glazing to add the cab windows, and it should be done.

here are a couple pictures of it