The LNER Encyclopedia

As I mentioned a while back I'm working on a scratch build display model of 4472 and have been trying out various off-the-shelf paints to try and match the requisite apple green. I didn't realise how hard it is to identify the correct colour from dozens of internet photos!!

Can anyone tell me if there is a Humbrol or Testors that is a good match? Failing that can you recommend a substitute?

I am in Canada so there are very few hobby stores that deal in model train supplies ... especially UK steam.

Appreciate any help you can provide.

Frank

Try Phoenix Precision Paints, who appear to do international mail order.

Thanks for that lead. I was hoping to avoid going overseas for such a small quantity.

I take it then there's nothing on the shelf made by Tamiya, Humbrol, Testors etc that is considered "correct" enough?

Frank

PS You can see we deperately need paint!! (Parts hanging loosely at this time).

Hi Frank
I have a good friend in Canada who is an LNER man. He may be able to help you with local, well North american, suppliers.
His name is Hugh Carter ,I will email him and let him know that I have passed on his email to you. He is in Ottowa.
Cheers Tony Millington

TonyM

I tried emailing Phoenix last month and never received a reply.
I'm going to try International Hobbies next - they're in California so probably not much use for the Canadians, though Import restrictions on paints are a right pain, aren't they?


Richard

Thanks for the additional replies folks.

I'm not so much asking WHERE I can obtain the paint as I am what paint is good enough as an LNER apple green. If someone can tell me use Yada-yada green then I'll start the search.

Frank

Hi Frank
You are possibly opening a can of worms asking for`apple green`even the LNER sheds could not agree what was `apple green` which is why we get `Doncaster Green and Darlington Green` and the colour also depends on how long it has been between repaints and how many coats of varnish have been applied. Apple Green was never an official name for LNER green (apples in New Zealand are mostly red) grass green is another name used amongst some LNER sheds, so if you find a paint that you think looks correct then it probably is. Green is, along with red, one of the hardest colours to positively identify because of the human eye, no 2 people will see red or green the same.
I have had a reply from Hugh and he has no problem with you contacting him, in fact he would be very pleased to hear from another LNER fan in Canada.

Cheers

TonyM

Tony

Thank you very much for that answer. I'll use one of the greens I've already tested.

Frank

This whole "Darlington Green" thing developed after Darlington mixed the paint incorrectly for 4472's second overhaul in preservation and got the colour too pale. The paint for all LNER works was supplied from a paint maufacturer based, I believe, in Ripon and was all to the same spec.

The difference with a Darlington repaint was that the cylinder covers were painted green and not the black of everywhere else.

Hope this clears up confusion.

If that is the case (and I certainly don't dispute it) why has Morayshire been painted that very odd shade?

Dunno.

However, "proper" apple green always looks greener on a model than the real thing, mainly because of we look at models from a few inches away, whereas we look at the real thing from many yards away and atmospheric pollution provides the difference.

I suppose it always possible that the Morayshire crowd liked the paler colour, anyway. And she DOES look good!

As I said "a can of worms" Perhaps someone should tell GF that their `Doncaster green` is not even close to an authentic LNER green way too pale and the wrong shade. Union Mills LNER locos look right and they use Phoenix paints so that is what I use and I have lightened some for Doncaster green and keep it in a separate glass jar. Will post some photos when the locos are ready.
TonyM

I thought my Union Mills B12 looked a bit too olive?

Richard

Hi Richard

After several wipes with an oily rag they tend to go that way and the coats of varnish are also not clear but yellowy and darken with exposure to the elements. I am happier with UM locos paint jobs than either Dapol or Farish, but I tend to mix my own now because of postal problems with getting paints from the UK. The local shop only stocks Tamiya who do not do authentic British colours but with a careful mix I am able to get a good approximation of what I am happy with.

TonyM

TonyM wrote:Hi Frank
I have a good friend in Canada who is an LNER man. He may be able to help you with local, well North american, suppliers.
His name is Hugh Carter and his email address as hcarter (at) cyberus (dot) ca . I will email him and let him know that I have passed on his email to you. He is in Ottowa.
Cheers Tony Millington

TonyM

Richard do you think that the e-mail address mentioned should be altered in some way to prevent an unwanted spam robot picking it up? I'm sure Mr Carter doesn't want the inevitable spam e-mails.

Regards

Karl