Paint Question: Blue Used on MPI Lease units

[6axlepwr]

The blue used on MPI Lease units. What would be the best color to use for that?

Or

Do I need to mix my own?

Thanks.

Brian

[Denver Road Doug]

This is a great question, and I had hoped that someone would have chimed in.

I seem to recall someone writing an article about the MPI units so I'll try to dig that up.  Pretty sure I saved it since I eventually would like to paint one.   I would guess something around MP blue or ATSF blue would be a good starting point but I honestly don't know for sure.   Google found one reference to using a B&O recipe with Floquil: 25/3/3 C&O blue/engine black/signal red.  (submitted by Walt Freedman on Trainorders.com)  Regardless, I know it's very dark blue.   Sorry I don't have much in the way of help, but figured I'd bump this back up and see if someone else has any thoughts.


As an aside, while researching I came across an interesting set of links for "Railroad Colors by Bill Havrilla."
http://shaw-web.net/rrdata/floqu1.txt
http://shaw-web.net/rrdata/floqu2.txt
http://shaw-web.net/rrdata/floqu3.txt
http://shaw-web.net/rrdata/floqu4.txt
Not directly helpful...there's an MK "Demo Yellow" but that's it.   The referencing site is http://shaw-web.net which had some other interesting links in its own right.

[6axlepwr]

Thanks Doug,

I am starting three MPI SD45's this weekend.

I figured my best bet would be to start with C&O blue. I'll give that 25/3/3 recipe a try. I'll use true color paint. I love the stuff. Goes on glass smooth.

Brian

[Robbman]

I tried to mix up a batch of N&W blue, using those exact same paints*, and ended up with something bang on to the MPI units, so definitely play around with that formula.  That SD45 test shell is was given to a friend, don't know if he ever decaled it.


*Eventually just settled on ATSF Blue with some black added