Hancock52 posted:Wow - that is a fine collection of 4449 photos. Thanks for posting.
I know that this has been raked over at length in other threads but the finish of the modern paint used on this engine is very glossy.
The 4449 has been painted with Dupont Imron paint since the American Freedom Train (1975), and since Imron is pretty much impervious to any dirt, or other stains (we have even had to wash one side of the tender with lacquer thinner due to a fuel oil spill), the locomotive looks much more "glossy". Back in the "old days", all the SP had was lacquer paint, which was not as "glossy", except for the first few days right out of the paint shop. The lacquer paints also faded fairly rapidly in the bright California sun.
I suppose it's some kind of urethane enamel.
Correct.
On the other hand, the 3rd Rail model of 4449 I have has a much more flat finish, as do the GGD cars that go with it.
Which is correct for the 1940s and 1950s, depending on whether one of model the pre-war (1946 and older) "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering, or the post war (after 1946), when SP changed to the large billboard lettering on tenders, and simply "SOUTHERN PACIFIC" on equipment.
Unless one is modeling the 1981, and later, excursion era, when 4449 was repainted from the AFT red, white and blue, into the post was large SOUTHERN PACIFIC lettering (currently 4449 appears in her as-delivered "Southern Pacific Lines" styling), then the models should NOT be highly glossy.
