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Removing lettering from MTH HO engines

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  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 49 posts
Removing lettering from MTH HO engines
Posted by Nevin Wilson on Monday, December 23, 2019 6:59 AM

Since I am modeling the Maryland Midland (MMID), I've acquired a couple of MTH HO GP-38-2 painted in MMID colors.   I have to say I am impressed by how well they run.  Unfortunately they are both numbered 305. I need to remove the 5 from one of them and replace it with a 4 so it is numbered 304.  I have used the solvaset/eraser technique in the past with some success (and some failures). Will this work for MTH HO engines?  Any other techniques worth comsidering? 

I've noticed that decals for the MMID are very hard to come by.  Anyone aware of any available for MMID anywhere?  Any suggestions for finding a blue number decal of the correct color, size and font?  Thanks for any help you can provide.  

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, December 23, 2019 7:51 AM

I think any method you've used before, for removing lettering, will work on MTH locos, nothing special about them.

As far as matching numbers, I guess I would search Microscale lettering and see what I could find as a match, or as close to a match as you can get.

The only MMID decals I found are from Highball Graphics, but they are the black and yellow G&W  (Genesee & Wyoming) scheme, nothing with the blue.

The G&W took over the MMID in 2007.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 49 posts
Posted by Nevin Wilson on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 5:55 AM

mbinsewi

I think any method you've used before, for removing lettering, will work on MTH locos, nothing speacial about them.

As far as matching numbers, I guess I would search Microscale lettering and see what I could find as a match, or as close to a match as you can get.

The only MMID decals I found are from Highball Graphics, but they are the black and yellow G&W  (Genesee & Wyoming) scheme, nothing with the blue.

The G&W took over the MMID in 2007.

Mike.

 

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll give it a try.  Hopefully I can find the correct font or at least something close.  

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 3:00 PM

Sometimes, if you can't find an exact match, it ends up looking better if you just re-do the entire engine number so all the numbers are the same size / color / font, rather than one number being a little "off".

Stix
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 5:31 PM

If all else fails a belt sander will take it off in less then a second. It will be a little rough on details however.  Just kidding so see the joke in the idea.

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: CAPE CORAL FLA
  • 511 posts
Posted by thomas81z on Saturday, December 28, 2019 7:29 PM

on black steam locos i just sharpie over them & let it dry

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, December 28, 2019 7:52 PM

I make my own decal remover using ¼”x½” basswood sanding blocks glued to basswood strip for a handle.  I glue 1000 grid wet & dry sandpaper to the block.  If the paint is factory a little bit of elbow grease with damp wet & dry will take off either factory painted or decals without damaging the paint.
 
 
 
Mel
 
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, December 29, 2019 11:24 AM

Nice tip Mel, I'll have to try that.

Mike.

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