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Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Colors

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Monday, October 20, 2014 12:04 PM

Stix,

  The Badger - Accuflex has not been available for years.  I suspect any bottles you might find are just a clump of 'gel' inside by this time.

  Badger went the the acrylic Modelflex years ago.

Jim

 

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, October 20, 2014 11:10 AM

One problem with the Badger / Accuflex paint is that although it's normally accurate, it's almost too accurate. What I mean is, their colors are correct but under artificial lights (like on our layouts) they often look a little dark. I have an SD-9 I painted using Badger paint, it looks good but it's maybe a touch darker / browner than it should be. (Plus of course, paint fades on the real engines over time, and becomes lighter.)

Don't know if this helps, but if you're a sports fan, the DMIR maroon and yellow colors are taken from the maroon and gold of the University of Minnesota Gophers / University of Minnesota - Duluth Bulldogs uniforms.

Stix
  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 384 posts
Posted by Redore on Sunday, October 19, 2014 9:35 PM

In Floquil days, E-L Maroon was a good start.  Most decal sets include all the yellow striping, but the yellow is close to UP Armour Yellow.  Cabooses use the same colors.

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 9:04 PM

Badger Modelflex has DMIR colors. Maroon #16-87 and Yellow #16-88. I never used Modelflex before...think I'll give it a try on those 3 engines. 

Mark H.

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 8:42 PM

I just looked at some of my slides from Duluth 1980. My shots are Ektachrome. I do see a deviation in the tone of the maroon between two different locomotives #188 and #191. 188 at Proctor and the other at the Duluth docks. They were shot hours apart on a deeply overcast day. For my shots, I think this is just a variation in the color saturation.

I checked the DMIR HS and unfortunately they have no color match references. I recall seeing some time ago in another forum somewhere else about DMIR color questions. I'll do some digging. I would like to repaint my 3 SD9's into the arrowhead scheme.

Mark H

 

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Tampa, Florida
  • 1,481 posts
Posted by cedarwoodron on Saturday, October 4, 2014 7:56 PM

With the DMIR yellow on their cabooses, some photos appear to show a "pale" yellow, while others show a brighter, more vibrant yellow. Again, some photos- both for the maroon on the cabooses and the diesels- show a lighter maroon, while others show a darker tone of maroon.

Gets me confused as to which direction to go with both of these colors...

Cedarwoodron

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 3:47 PM

This is a trio of DMIR SD9's in the old paint scheme I did 35 years ago. A little beaten, but still look decent.

http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/MarkH2102T1/DSCF1692_zps2573f7c9.jpg

Mark H

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
  • 496 posts
Posted by crhostler61 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 3:29 PM

I like the DMIR. Followed them fairly close in the late 70's and very early 80's, made a trip to Duluth and Two Harbors in Aug 1980 to specifically visit the DMIR. Struck gold in that trip.

Anyway. I painted a few DMIR locos then and still have them...used a Floquil maroon that was recommended by Microscale.

Have you checked with DMIR historic group/groups about color matching?

Mark H 

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Tampa, Florida
  • 1,481 posts
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Colors
Posted by cedarwoodron on Saturday, October 4, 2014 1:35 PM

Anyone modeling the Missabe Ry? If so, what colors (and manufacturers) are you using for their yellow and maroon (cabooses) and their overall maroon (diesel hoods)?

Thanks for any replies.

Cedarwoodron

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