@Hot Water posted:As information, just because the "color chip" came from the Southern RR paint shop does not necessarily mean that the green was the "as delivered from EMC/EMD" green. The EMC/EMD pain shop used primarily Dupont lacquer paint, purchased in 55 gallon drums for the main color/colors. Many individual railroads may NOT have purchased their paint from Dupont, thus obtaining ever so slightly different colors.
This actually brings up something I've thought/said regarding other color issues, specifically variations between runs. In the real world, especially 70+ years ago, it is entirely reasonable for there to be some variation in paint colors because of which shop painted it, how long ago was it painted, has it been well maintained, etc. This is why I am less bothered that something Lionel made last week doesn't perfectly match something Lionel made 15 years ago.
Now, to be clear, this doesn't apply to wild mismatches (like the pistachio colored Texas+Pacific) or to a premier train like the 20th that had its own dedicated sets of locomotives and cars with their own dedicated scheme, one that is fairly well documented. This is one that Lionel should have been able to get much closer with. Especially given that the market had been clamoring for Lionel to run the Dreyfuss again, I would have expected them to be prepared.
