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Auto-Train Corporation 1970's era font

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  • Member since
    September 2009
  • 3 posts
Auto-Train Corporation 1970's era font
Posted by Whitenight on Thursday, April 7, 2016 1:29 PM

With Atlas issuing DCC/Sound equipped Auto-Train U36b's I decided to finish the train that I had started so many years ago. The main problem is that Champ is no longer making its decals and no other company currently makes any.

Since I am relegated to making my own decals I need to know if anyone knows what font style was used for their lettering. While not an exact match, the closest that I have been able to come was either Tahoma or Verdana.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Indiana
  • 225 posts
Posted by mikeGTW on Thursday, April 7, 2016 3:24 PM

Look for a font named MaximaCyrTCYLigCom Regular  its close

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 3,006 posts
Posted by ACY Tom on Thursday, April 7, 2016 6:17 PM

I understand a popular author of railroad books and articles is currently working on a book on the early Auto Train. This author had first-hand experience with the operation.

Tom

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • 3 posts
Posted by Whitenight on Friday, April 8, 2016 12:45 AM

I checked out this font and while it is close it is stretched out to tall, but thanks for the advice.

 
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Friday, April 8, 2016 5:59 AM

When the train started MR did two or three articles on modeling all the cars. In fact they had it on the cover of the first article. Perhaps that will have some information.

  • Member since
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Posted by ACY Tom on Friday, April 8, 2016 7:53 AM

See my PM.

Tom

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, April 11, 2016 1:17 AM

To my untrained eye it looks like Helvetica Regular.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvetica

Microsoft sans-serif (shown here) might be close, too.

Neat stuff at this site:

http://www.themetrains.com/auto-train-main.htm

The MR article was in December, 1974 and Jan, 1975.

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Potomac Yard
  • 2,767 posts
Posted by NittanyLion on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 4:19 PM

It's Helvetica with very broad kerning. Most of the design work I do uses Helvetica and I'd recognize it anywhere 

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