N&W Tuscan Red and Pevlar Blue Paints
Tuscan Red - which one?
The argument over what colors actually match the N&W Tuscan red continue to this day, as there are no exact matches. The issue is complicated by the fact that there are actually two "reds" to deal with:
Old Red
"Old Red" was used until around 1958. This had a much higher red content than the present red AND included a metallic particle suspended in the paint. There were a number of manufacturesr who supplied this paint to the railroad including Dupont and Dolphin Paints of Toledo, OH. Probably the closest matches are in automotive colors: Either Sherwin Williams or Martin Seynour 1975 Chrysler Vintage Red. I believe the Martin Seynour number is: 99P-2297.
In checking with a local model painter, he indicates that he used Model Felx "Milwaukee Road red" with a small amount of silver added to simulate the metallic particles.
New Red
"New Red" tended to have a purple tint to it! When #611 was painted for excursion service, New Red was used. The only automotive numbers I have been able to come up with are Dupont numbers. Pre-1975, the number was 181-24899 , "Tuscan red". Post-1975, the number is 44106, "Dark Red Metallic Enamel". I do not know how to match this with model colors.
Pevlar Blue
Pevlar Blue presents a very tricky situation. The paint began fading almost as soon as the paint gun was turned off on a given job. Most photos of equipment show evidence of fading. The best match I've found is a one ounce bottle of Floquil C&O Enchantment Blue, with about10 drops of Engine Black. This is not the new CSX Blue, but the old C&O color.
I hope this inofrmation is helpful. Good luck with your painting.
Jim Gillum, N&W Historical Society
[Created April 1998, Revised 3-May-98]