Re: Non-Revenue Service Cars

Posted by Keith Hayes on Sep 04, 2022; 8:17pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Non-Revenue-Service-Cars-tp14179p18003.html

Heck, Jim, I am always learning something from YOU! I noticed the chalk marks on a couple of your recent builds and had not gotten around to asking you about them. I ordered two sheets and expect my cars will be 'chalked up' shortly! Thanks!

For my UP black panels,  I quickly eyeballed the patches from the St. Elmo photo and got to work. I am impressed that the UP standard has rounded corners. Hmm.

Long time readers know of my fondness for a photo of 73 eastbound with a short freight at Michigan. This image has a coal with block lettering that survived into the 20s or 30s. I posit that a number of lettering styles co-mingled to the end of the line.

This Phase 3 coal has the block lettering with new Roman reporting marks.

This Phase 1 coal has a hybrid scheme: The Colorado Road logo has vanished and a quick reletter was done in Denver or Como. The faded logo was rendered with white water color pencil.

Perhaps the easiest scheme is what I call the 'eclipse' herald: the circular trademark sans lettering,  which seemed to wash off. If your decal set has a 2-part decal with a black circle and white lettering,  this is easy to create. Otherwise you will need a steady hand to cut a small circle mask or use a Crickut.

Last is a Phase3 box with block lettering, a path and some boards replaced. Very easy to accomplish with some quick masking! Individual board weathering is accomplished with water color pencils.

On Jim's example above,  I bet that car was in a coupling accident and had the draft gear an/or end beam replaced. This would involve removing some end siding to uncover the endbeam. Something to consider for a future model: tape off the last few boards  on each side before a light spray of white and your car has just visited the shop!!