How do you change numbers on number boards?

[Doctor G]

I'm new to this so bear with me.  Manufactures provide a limited number of road numbers for ready to run locomotives.  But I recently joined a large club that models the PRR, which obviously had many more road numbers than manufactures provide.  Changing the numbers on the loco's shell is straight forward, but what about number boards?  Can they be cleaned off and have a decal re-applied with the new number?

[MisterBeasley]

Yes, that's about it.  You can gently remove the numbers with a Q-tip and alcohol, or other solvents.  Since I can't print white decals, I paint the background white and print a black decal which is the negative of the desired image.  When applied over the white background, I get white on black lettering.

[mlehman]

Look up ShellScale Decals. They offer a variety of numberboard decals in the correct font and sized for a wide variety of RRs and engine models. There is the correct black or white background  and a contrasting number jungle that provides plenty of number combos to make things easy to put together and look good.

[EMDSD40]

I have many PRR locomotives that I have changed numbers on. Different manufacturers present different approach to resolution. If painted on the shell....I use 3M scratch remover on wooden Qtip to remove white numbers. Follow up with  gloss black applied with very small brush in the cast on number board. I clamp the shell on end and the number board level,using gravity to let the paint dry to a smooth gloss surface. Next step is cutting out the numbers from a decal sheet using a single edge razor blade for sharp edge. This can be very tedious. Apply using normal setting solutions, again this can be very tedious work. Then apply your choice of clear coat to seal the number board or entire locomotive........your choice.  If you have shells with removable clear lenses....same process applies. Decal sheets are made with white or black background and corresponding numbers if you decide to go that route. Each locomotive and manufacturer presents a different challenge. Good luck.

[RR_Mel]

I have an Alps printer and it will print white but MiserBeasley’s way works much better.  I simply use MS Word with a black background or negative print. 

 

Select the paragraphs (or text) where you want to make the change. (Highlight all the text.) Choose Borders and Shading on the Format menu, click the Shading tab at the top of the dialog box, and set the paragraph shading to black. Choose Font on the Format menu and set the Font to white.

 

.  4294  .

 

Railroad Roman font is very close to the Southern Pacific font.

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[BNSF UP and others modeler]

A couple of my old locos are missing number boards. Is there a good way to install replacements so I can have lit number boards?