On3 decals C&S #74

[Lee Gustafson]

Recommendations for current source of On3 decals for C&S #74.

Thanks

Lee Gustafson

[Mike Trent]

Hi, Lee. You can order them direct from Thinfilm for On3 or HOn3. I'm sure it will be an easy search. It will be the C&S Locomotive set, which used to contain both white and silver (Aluminum). Let me know if you have any trouble with this. I'll be glad to help.  

I don't know if they produce them in Sn3.

[Lee Gustafson]

Mike,

Thank you. I believe I found the appropriate C&S narrow gauge locomotive set O scale #14. I’m going to order a couple of sets tomorrow. Again thanks for all you do, and all you’ve done.

Lee Gustafson

[Lee Gustafson]

Mike,

I have confirmed the correct number for the On3 C&S locomotive set is 314. I’ve ordered two sets from Thinfilm decals that’s all they had in stock. Back order time is unknown at this time. I’d like to get 1 or 2 more sets just in case I screw something up. I’ll gladly pay for the decals and shipping. TIA.

Lee Gustafson

[Mike Trent]

Lee, I probably have whatever else you may need, I never throw anything away. Are you using silver or white? I probably have several intact silver sheets, as I use white. And lots of white scraps.

Last I was aware, Thinfilm is being run by the original owner's Daughter. She told me she tries to keep everything available, but doesn't have a set schedule to run them.

I've always felt that with Thinfilm sheets, newer is always better. I'm sure you'll be fine.

[Lee Gustafson]

Mike,

Thank you for your help. What is the appropriate color for C&S locomotive lettering, white or aluminum? TIA.

Lee Gustafson

[Mike Trent]

I discussed this with my friend John Coker in 1980 as I was finishing up my first On3 locomotive project, #74.

It appears that the lettering on the prototype C&S narrow gauge locomotives was actually aluminum or aluminum leaf, but the tricky thing about it is how it actually looks under indoor layout conditions compared to how aluminum looks to the eye, or the camera, in natural daylight. Or so our conversation went. I was willing to go either way, but I knew this would be a pretty significant decision as I planned to try even then to depict C&S Mainline operations with multiple engine trains. Which would require several locomotives at a minimum. So there would be no turning back.

In the end, we decided that using white lettering would look more "natural" under layout conditions, and I have never looked back. All of my C&S engines, including ones I have parted way with over the years were finished with white lettering, with the sole exception being #7, which has gold lettering.

I have friends who have used aluminum lettering, and with a little weathering or soot, they are indistinguishable from each other. If anything, as Coker pointed out at the time, white lettering stands out brighter under light weathering.  

Here are a couple pictures taken here, with white lettering.
Whichever way you go, it will be the right answer. Rule #1 is that it's your railroad!





 

[Keith Hayes]

Most of the High Line locomotives have white lettering.