Dark Blue Paint

On inspection, the Garratt seemed OK apart from one corner where some water hadn't been dried out properly, was OK. This issue was quickly dealt with and I moved on to the next stage, paint.

Trevor had requested that the locomotive be finished in S&D Blue - apparently this is similar to the shade used by the NCB, who would have eventually owed this loco and might have repainted it in their colours. I thought he was nuts as the one colour prototype photo I have show it in a faded red which would (IMHO) be much more attractive. My model will be either this or pale green. It's his model though so I suppose he gets to chose...

Anyway, I set up the airbrush and mixed up a pot of Railmatch S&D Blue with about 40% cellulose thinners. Spraying commenced with the engine unit bodies as I couldn't go too far wrong with these. Then the engine units themselves with the waggly bits masked off as best I could. Finally the boiler & cab changed colour.

All this went pretty well. About 3/4 of the paint pot was used leaving some for touch ups later. Quite a few coats, applied with airgun in one hand and hair drier in the other, were required to build up the required depth of colour. I kept taking the model outside to make sure all was OK.

I think I am learning to like this colour. It looks a bit dark in shadow and will need some dirt to bring it alive but at least this loco will stand out on display.