Hopefully this is not a repeat post but didn't find anything with the search. Any suggestions on how to letter or label a HO scale trolley car I have? It's one of those Desire Street Brill Trolley cars that doesn't fit in my Toronto layout.While on the topic, does anyone know where these cars came from? They are identical to the Bachman Brill Trolley but with no engine and much cheaper looking.
I use Aplhabet decal sets by Microscale for a lot of custom lettering jobs.
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They are applied just like any other decal. The only "trick" is leeping them straight as you go.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
In addition to alphabet decals, you can get "dry transfers" which you apply by rubbing them with something smooth and round.
In ancient times, people used to hand letter rolling stock. Needs a very fine brush, and a very steady hand. Having good handwriting helps a lot. I'd practice, a lot, before doing rolling stock.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
C-D-S offered dry transfers for TTC streetcars, both the Peter Witt cars, and the PCCs. Both of those, 291(a) and 292(b), are included in Set 291.C-D-S sold pretty-well everything to Ozark Miniatures, so if they haven't yet produced new sets, older ones in sealed packaging should still be available.
If you're not comfortable using dry transfers directly on the model, you can get clear decal paper from both Microscale or Walthers, and apply the dry transfer lettering on a flat surface, which makes alignment much easier. Make sure to burnish them properly after application to the decal paper. You can coat the decals with a clear spray before cutting them out, or eliminate that step until after the decals have been applied - I've used both methods with success.
Wayne
If you can't get the set through Ozark Miniatures, you may have better luck at a train show. Since you're modelling the TTC (and are a Leafs fan ) I'm guessing that you're located in southern Ontario (and, yeah, I know: there are Leaf fans all over the place), so there'll probably be a show or two near you. I usually go to the one in Ancaster, and there are at least a couple of guys there with lots of C-D-S on offer.
Ha ha you are correct, just outside of Toronto and a die hard Leafs fan (despite our woes over the years) but love hockey in general so watch all teams. Train show season starts in the fall so I look forward to visiting the province hunting for these decals. I'm sure I'll find a few other items to add to my layout.
I made my own decals on my computer. It's pretty easy.
Decals are much easier if you can arrange for dark colors on a light background, as I did for this Bowser PCC car. I used rattle-can spray paint, and masked it to get the two-tone paint job.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Yes, clear decal paper is quite common. They also make white-backed paper. I used inkjet paper because that's the printer I have. You've got to choose inkjet or laser based on your printer.