Decals - Steam Era cab-side lettering

Wed Dec 14 11:00:17 EST 2022

Hi Ken, 

I’m reviving this old thread because I’m curious if the project for documenting steam locomotive lettering and creating decal sets has progressed, specifically the cab-side lettering? Perhaps I’ve missed it. 

You mentioned a small book on modern N&W tenders. Would that include the assignments of the USRA tenders? When going through the Prince book the other day, I was surprised how long they were in service, and in what capacities. On a semi-related note, has their been an article on this topic (USRA tenders) in a past Arrow?

Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US

> On Sep 30, 2020, at 1:47 PM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Hey Roger
> 
> There are, according to drawings two different designs that are cabside lettering from the 1920-1941 era, we are studying that.
> 
> I want to do an overall paint and lettering book, including samples of the paint drift cards that are Charlie’s which includes the 1950 Tuscan Red, but I’ve got to find my photographic color scale to make sure we zero it out correctly. I want to correct a lot of misinformation that has been spread over time, and probably raise a number of questions as well, but doing the steam locomotive guide will be enough for starters. I’ve gathered a lot of data on paint and lettering over the years, mainly because I was interested and had access to a lot in years past.
> 
> I think the steam set, and I’ll have to talk to Richard, be either a large sheet, or several smaller sheets, but it will be, over anything else, correct!
> 
> Best
> Ken Miller
> 
>> On Sep 30, 2020, at 1:26 PM, NW Modeling List via NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>> wrote:
>> 
>> Ken,
>> 
>> Thanks for the detailed look into what has transpired from you guys so far. Many thanks for all you have done toward this. With this much attention to detail I'm sure it will be a great set.
>> 
>> Not to muddy the waters any more maybe making a pre and post lettering size/style sets would work? Those earlier cab side N&W and the later stretched out styles on different sheets? Just a thought to keep the sheet from becoming huge.
>> 
>> A prototype lettering book would be unbelievably welcome by most of use I'm certain.
>> 
>> Roger Huber
>> Deer Creek Locomotive Works
>> 
>> 
>> On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 12:00:07 PM CDT, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> All
>> 
>> I’ve been taking notes here. Richard and I need to meet and talk about the sets, but I will tell you what I want to see.
>> 
>> First Charlie Schlotthober and I have been discussing this since the idea was first proposed.
>> 
>> Charlie and I probably have more information on the subject than anyone out there, and in my case, I’ve lettered the real things in the case of 611, 1218 and N&W 6, usually with help, but I did all the art for them.
>> 
>> We would like to see all variations of 10 inch, 8 inch, 7 inch and the cabside lettering prior to 1941, if there is space and interest, I also did art on the pre-1920 lettering.
>> 
>> Charlie had worked up a list of tender number/capacities that we can work into ready made sets for various locomotives. We do have a number of lists on tender assignments in hand, and Charlie is working on a small book on N&W modern tenders, but that is a future project. Charlie has put together a spreadsheet on the various tender numbers and their assignments based on the sheets
>> 
>> We intend to have the lettering spaced for the various sizes of tenders, including canteens, as well as preset number combinations. I’d also like to have the aluminum lettering for pre 1941 passenger locomotives. I’d also include correct headlight number boards, numbers for number plates, builders plates, class plates and the other miscellaneous lettering for tanks like the Safety First, Black Smoke is Waste, Stoker slides removed... etc. etc.
>> 
>> Charlie and I are also talking about making a 16-32 page booklet (i.e. an Arrow-sized magazine) that will focus on positioning the lettering, oddities, and include lots of diagrams and drawings. One thing about the drawings, you have to depend on actual material for perfectly correct letter shapes.
>> 
>> N&W, unlike a number of other roads, did not make drawings for an alphabet or numbers in all sizes. 
>> 
>> https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=173063 <https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=173063>
>> 
>> An example of how detailed the NKP and other AMC roads were. 
>> 
>> Charlie and I both have studied this subject for many years, and both of us searched the files for such N&W drawings, and I am convinced that if such a drawing exists, it is only for very specific use or post steam era.
>> 
>> If someone has information they would like to share for this project, photos etc, please contact me at miller at nwhs.org <mailto:miller at nwhs.org>. We will copy what we do not have and return the original to you if requested.
>> 
>> Thanks for the interest
>> 
>> Ken Miller
>> 
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