The different shade of Kodadhrome

Not sure if you can see the differences here, I will try to explain.
The new Kato SD45 has caused an uproar involving the correct
color of Yellow on these Kodachrome paint schemes.
If you compare the Intermountain Kodachrome, the Yellow is MUCH lighter
and the Red much Darker.
If you compare the Atlas B23-7, the Yellow is considerably brighter and more
Orangey than the Intermountain, but not as Orangey as the new Kato SD45.
The Kato SD45 is noticeably more Yellowy Orange than the Atlas B23-7.
The Red on the Atlas B23-7 is very close to Kato's Red.
The Atlas GP-35 is the closest to the Kato, the Yellow is a couple
of shades lighter than the Kato, but the closest out of all the items.
The Red on the Atlas GP-35 is slightly darker, but very close.
I am going to say that the Intermountain colors are probably
the most correct, 2nd being the Atlas B23-7, 3rd the Atlas GP-35, and last the Kato SD45.

fatalxsunrider43

 

go stand by the tracks and you will see that there is no such thing as "the correct" color of any paint scheme. UV fading, photo processing, and of course, color matching issues all complicate the matter. having worked in the model train industry as a product manager, i can tell you it's very hard to match colors.

i think the tunnel motor is the best reproduction, the others are over saturated and cartoonish.

 

Yeah ! I know that there is no "REAL" standard. Lots of variables involved. As far as the best known N scale items we have to choose from, I'd say it is these 4 items, with the Intermountain being what I would call the closest to the original
Kodachrome schemes on the actual locomotives. This is only my opinion, others may have a different take and rightly so. Please chime in anyone.

fatalxsunrider43

 

Its all comes down to one's opinion. You can't go by photographs or pictures on the internet. Monitors and graphic cards display things differently from machine to machine.

IMHO I think the Kato one looks off, I can't decide whether the Atlas or the IM Kodachrome scheme is the most correct.


Rich

 

Geez, I simply tried to do my best at posting a topic that has been of recent interest. I know the pics are not the best at revealing colors, and I tried to give my
take on the differences. If this topic is not worth posting let me know and I'll take it down.

fataslxsunrider43

 

Don't take my post wrong if thats what your talking about. I'm just saying individuals will like one over the other.

I wasn't critiquing your photos or your post.


Rich

 

"I'm just saying individuals will like one over the other."

And individuals will see color differently from each other most of the time. What many might consider to be a close match to them won't be a close match to all and that is all tied up in the way our eyes perceive color.

 

All color is subjective. No two people see colors the same way. Each of the batches of paint will be different. The way that the manufacturer applies the paint will cause differences.

The Chinese manufacturers can have very different ways of doing the things we find very simple.

Here is an example, at my old job we were designing a box for a new product. The box was to be printed in two colors blue and black on a white background. The artwork was prepared and negatives to make printing plates were made and shipped to China. The printed sample came back to us. The black areas were fine. The blue areas had a red edge. We never got a explanation from the printer. On the third try, the box was approved. We also never got explanations why even though we would send complete negatives for a box design that we come back a very different design in the printed samples.

Another factor for color variation is light. You need to look at these locos under the same lights that the person that approved the colors saw them under. Look at your locos under different kinds of lighting - fluorescent, incandescent, halogen, high and low pressure sodium, mercury vapor, H.I.D. and LED. When the locomotive looks correct to you use that kind of light on an area of your layout limit the loco to that zone.

By the way the next batch will be a different set of colors. Gone are the days of a manufacturer making a product for any period of time.

 

Nice looking collection of locomotives there. :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

Speaking of color, I like best the railpictures photo near sunset that made the SP yellow look sunkist Orange.

 

Now that's the best attitude yet, make the best of it. Thank you !

fatalxsunrider43

 

Haven't you guys beat this one to death yet? If you don't like them , return them. Or do what I would do. Weather them, fade them out a little, then it won't matter. Unbelievable.

 

Is it your duty to unjustify anyones post ? If you are tired of seeing it or reading it, why dont you ignore it ? This forum is for people to share, and for you to quash
posts is improper. You are what the Admin's call a heckler. So if you dont like it, dont read it. Unbelievable. Watch folks here comes the nukes.

fatalxsunrider43

 

Not my duty at all, just getting tired of all your complaining lately. This is a hobby , not life or death.

 

The yellow is too washed out. I have always felt that Atlas has the KodaChrome the closest.

 

I think my Atlas Santa Fe's have the best yellow as well.

I took my SD45's to the club today and even those don't model Santa Fe thought they didn't look right. You can't make orange look like yellow, faded, weathered or otherwise.

 

Try some 1200 grit wet or dry sandpaper. It works great on BNSF orange so it should work on your orange too. You don't have to sand very much either.