For all of you who know about the Boston and Maine RR - I have found several pictures where it looks like 2 different colors of blue are used on the Gp-7/9's. I see a pic of a unit that is all light blue with a white number and side sill and then a unit that is blue/black/white/yellow. The question I have is about the blue - is it the same color or are the pictures deceiving? Thanks.
From my memory of the 1970's, seeing both together in New Hampshire, the blue was the same on both schemes, and also the solid blue scheme introduced with the GP38-2 and GP40-2 units
I always felt the blue used on the "Bluebird" scheme was different from the blue used on later paint jobs (like the so-called "blue dip"). I emailed a friend to see if his opinion was the same as mine and here is what he said: "supposedly they were the same. however, around 79, billerica began rebuilding units (into the 1800 series) and those engines got a much darker blue, a lot of people use conrail blue for that. I never thought CR blue was dark enough. when the 200's were repainted then they got the darker blue as well. these are the units that had the boston and maine spelled out on the hoods. several switchers got the darker paint as well". I also note that the older and more weathered the early units became, the lighter the blue appeared. In my opinion, Accupaint made the best match for the early B&M blue but, unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be made any more. However, some dealers may still have a stock of it.
