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Branding the SNE stock Journals/Blogs
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Regular poster 482 posts David Pennington Long Haired David Regular poster 482 posts
David Pennington Long Haired David

After some long discussions on the  Model Railroad Hobbyist forum, I have sorted out the S&NEs own stock. I have made some decals using a white sheet of decal paper and putting everything onto a black background. So far, I have done the two steam locos and the one hopper that is owned by the S&NE. I have to say that the opinion out there is that my steam loco logo is too modern. However, I designed this in 1969 and it has been with me ever since. The layout is meant to be in the late 50's and the critics may well be right but "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to", if you see what I mean - smile.


Firstly, the loco:
 
 
Next, we have the hopper car:
 
 
The Sunset and North Eastern connects the New Haven at Hartford CT to the Boston & Maine (B&M) at Boston MA via the newly created town of Sunset (close to the actual town of Worcester). The total mileage is 104 miles with Sunset 58 miles from Hartford and 46 miles from Boston. It runs its own way freights from Hartford to Boston using Sunset as a division point. It does't have any passenger equipment so that is handled by a Budd RDC from the New Haven that makes runs over the 104 miles a couple of times a day. In addition, the B&M runs the main freights between the two ends. I have yet to work out the proper timetable so this is just an estimate of what will happen. 
The Budd RDC is currently being fitted with a sound decoder so will appear in a few days time (hopefully). Also in the works is an 0-6-0 switcher which will be based at Sunset. This is also being fitted with DCC sound. In the meantime, we have acquired a B&M RS-3 (again with DCC sound fitted).
 
 
 
We now have a couple of extra cabooses so I will be converting one of these to a B&M caboose to go with the RS-3. This will be interesting because it requires white lettering. I am going to attempt this using dry rub down lettering onto a clear decal sheet under varnish. I might just work!

Current job - I am laying ballast in the freight yard. I am using Woodland Scenics cinders. It is quite a long job so I had better get back to work.

David
Hi from the UK
Main man on the Sunset North Eastern and now the Great Western
My Blog: http://www.gmrblog.co.uk
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Michael Tondee MRH Author 5,522 posts
Michael Tondee

I think it all looks fine....

and if you like it, then, in the end, that's all that really matters.There is no doubt that the folks giving advice have the best of intentions but I think sometimes folks forget that not everybody worries over the same details they do. Heck I have to constantly remind myself that some folks are more worried over certain stuff than I am. I do really like the way it looks though David and you've inspired me to get going on the lettering of my Mogul.  Thanks for that!

Michael

Michael, A.R.S. W4HIJ

 Model Rail, electronics experimenter and "mad scientist" for over 50 years.

Member of  "The Amigos" and staunch disciple of the "Wizard of Monterey"

My Pike: The Blackwater Island Logging&Mining Co.
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hoghead40 Active Member 33 posts
hoghead40

Hold the varnish

David, before you use varnish to cover dry transfers, see if that's necessary. Apply some transfers on decal paper following transfer instructions. Be sure to rub the transfer down with its included paper, to make the transfer ink lay flat on the decal paper. Then use them as regular waterslide decals without the varnish. After the decals dry, over spray with dullcote. Try this with some throwaway part of the transfer. If you can avoid the heavy varnish, the decal film is easier to hide. I've seen transfers used this way to great effect, and without any extra protective coats. See Dick Bradley's article on scratchbuilding a Maryland and Pennsylvania baggage car in RMC last year or two; that's exactly how he lettered the car, with Clover House transfers converted to waterslide decals.

I also don't like using dry transfers, as you only get one shot at it. Water decals can be moved and fussed with over and over, until you apply the setting solution. (I've even rewetted decals to adjust them. You aren't going to do that with transfers...)
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David Pennington Long Haired David Regular poster 482 posts
David Pennington Long Haired David

Not looking forward to it

I will take your advice. I am not looking forward to getting this all lined up. I am trying to do

BOSTON & MAINE

so it isn't too long but I might get through a few sheets. The problem is that I can't get Letraset in a serif font, only black so I am not sure what to do. As the caboose is red, I can't do the print on white decal sheet with a black background as I would never match the red of the paint with the printer version.

I will come back when I have some more ideas.

David
Hi from the UK
Main man on the Sunset North Eastern and now the Great Western
My Blog: http://www.gmrblog.co.uk
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hoghead40 Active Member 33 posts
hoghead40

Bing it

David, why don't you bing < Boston and Maine decals> ...there are several makers of HO decals...one I looked at has caboose lettering. You might have to get an international money order or something, but can be worth the expense. Might even be a Brit over there that models B&M, or a dealer that could order them for you.
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David Pennington Long Haired David Regular poster 482 posts
David Pennington Long Haired David

Buying decals

There are two reasons really. One is that postage is normally quite expensive. I was quoted $78 to have one caboose kit shipped recently. I routinely pay M.B. Klein around $45 to ship any parcel to me no matter what the value. When the order is for $300 that isn't too bad but when it is $50 it makes everything very expensive. Secondly, I like doing these things and finding out myself how to do them. As it is I have an offer of some ALPS printed decals from a guy in Canada who did the last set for my N Scale layout. I might go that way but I will look and see if I can buy some cheaply.

Thanks.

 

David
Hi from the UK
Main man on the Sunset North Eastern and now the Great Western
My Blog: http://www.gmrblog.co.uk
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Bill Brillinger Moderator 4,904 posts
Bill Brillinger

Some guy in Canada...

David,

Postage for a 50-100 gram letter, to the UK, is $3.78 CAD.

If you find a decal set you want in the USA, have it shipped ot my US address and I'll send it on to you in the UK for the cost of shipping.

Bill Brillinger

Modeling the BNML in HO Scale, Admin for the RailPro User Group, and owner of Precision Design Co.
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