Re: Non-Revenue Service Cars

Posted by Jim Courtney on Aug 14, 2019; 12:36am
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Non-Revenue-Service-Cars-tp14179p14250.html

At the beginning of this tread, Keith asked: Who makes appropriate lettering in Sn3 (or other scales)? 

I forgot to share my thoughts about lettering C&S outfit cars in Sn3.

Microscale produces a decal set in HO scale: 87-159, Colorado & Southern Narrow Gauge Freight Cars (1910-1941) Freight Cars & Cabooses.  http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=87-159&Category_Code=HOSCALE

The block monogram for boxcars and coal cars is 73% the size of the true Sn3 lettering as on the San Juan sets. So the block HO scale monograms could approximate the smaller block monogram on the left side of the outfit boxcars, under the side windows. At $8.25 a set, several outfit cars could be so lettered--use the San Juan sets to provide the car number, i.e 051.

The Leadville Shops has three decal sets that could be useful:

The S scale 1905 C&S boxcar set https://www.theleadvilleshops.com/product-page/cwds-27-c-s-boxcar-ca-1905 could be used to letter cars such as 070 and the picture Chris posted of 052 with abbreviated road name--extremely weathered too be sure--just barely visible, with block or 1930's Roman reporting marks more freshly painted on top.

The S scale C&S cinder car set https://www.theleadvilleshops.com/product-page/cwds-14-c-s-cinder-car provides the original lettering for the converted St Charles cinder cars. Again this lettering should also be heavily weathered for 1930's. The same set provides the original lettering for the 1902 coal and flat cars as well. (Curiously, the box herald on the cinder car set works better on the boxcars, and the box herald on the boxcar set seems to look better on the coal cars, as it is taller).

Finally, the HO scale C&S block style boxcar/coal car set https://www.theleadvilleshops.com/product-page/cwdho-32-c-s-block-style-boxcar-coal-car can be used like the Microscale HO set, to supply a smaller block monogram to the outfit car sides. Bob Stear's artwork includes several different sizes of block monograms for cabooses, outfit cars and boxcars. You can pick and choose the size that seems to fit best to your eye.

Finally, late 1920's to 1930's outfit lettering is pretty much the modern Roman reporting marks and numerals with a weigh or repack date perhaps. Those should be in the San Juan modern C&S lettering sets.

Looking forward to seeing Leadville's first outfit car . . .