Anybody know if decals to model the numerals on steam locomotive number plates are available? On the prototype (e.g. some switch engines) the plate was mounted on the front of the smokebox and made of brass or bronze with the engine number in raised numerals. I know the raising method exists, as represented by Micromark's rivet, louver and grill decals, but that company doesn't offer numerals (as far as I know).
-Chuck
Something like that would be really helpful. Some railroads used raised numbers on the cabs too. I do not recall ever having seen anything though.
While as far as I'm aware, there are number plates with raised lettering and three dimensional cab numerals, the number plates are for CNR locomotives. The numbers are also made for CNR locos, but I also use them on my free-lanced steam locomotives...
Here's the raised numerals added to a brass CNR locomotive....
...and to a painted one...
They're brass and come on a fret, and there are both wide-stroke (as shown), and also a narrower stroke version.The ones used on real steamers may have been brass at one time,but I believe they were later done in steel.
As for number plates, a very wide selection was available, again for CNR locos. They were photo etched brass and offered in various numbered groups for specific locos...Pacifics, Mikados, etc.To use them on CNR locos, I airbrushed the frets with red paint, then, after the paint had cured, used very fine grit sandpaper to remove the paint from the raised border, the raised numerals, and the raised CANADIAN NATIONAL, then over-sprayed them with Testor's clear gloss, to prevent the bare brass from tarnishing over time.
Here's one on a very re-worked loco which I built for a longtime friend...
Here's the raised numerals on a Proto 0-8-0, much modified to match a CNR prototype...
I do use the CNR cab numerals on my freelanced ERIE NORTHSHORE Athearn Genesis Mikados...
...and also on two re-worked Bachmann 10 Wheelers...
While the number plates for under the headlight would be useful only on CNR locos, I believe that the larger cab numerals could be used on just about any loco...either a random free-lanced one, or perhaps on a model of a real loco which may have used similar cab numerals. You should be able to get them HERE
Wayne
Archer Surface Details has a couple of sets that might work for you.
#88058 is for a 1/35 scale M4A3E2 and has some larger numbers on it. They might be suitable for cab side.
#88007 is casting and foundry marks for military vehicles and has a lot of smaller numbers on the sheet.
I do not own either of these sheets, so I cannot verify any sizes.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks for ideas, Wayne and Kevin....I'll check into the sources you suggested.
doctorwayne While as far as I'm aware, there are number plates with raised lettering and three dimensional cab numerals, the number plates are for CNR locomotives. The numbers are also made for CNR locos, but I also use them on my free-lanced steam locomotives... Here's the raised numerals added to a brass CNR locomotive.... ...and to a painted one... They're brass and come on a fret, and there are both wide-stroke (as shown), and also a narrower stroke version.The ones used on real steamers may have been brass at one time,but I believe they were later done in steel. As for number plates, a very wide selection was available, again for CNR locos. They were photo etched brass and offered in various numbered groups for specific locos...Pacifics, Mikados, etc.To use them on CNR locos, I airbrushed the frets with red paint, then, after the paint had cured, used very fine grit sandpaper to remove the paint from the raised border, the raised numerals, and the raised CANADIAN NATIONAL, then over-sprayed them with Testor's clear gloss, to prevent the bare brass from tarnishing over time. Here's one on a very re-worked loco which I built for a longtime friend... Here's the raised numerals on a Proto 0-8-0, much modified to match a CNR prototype... I do use the CNR cab numerals on my freelanced ERIE NORTHSHORE Athearn Genesis Mikados... ...and also on two re-worked Bachmann 10 Wheelers... While the number plates for under the headlight would be useful only on CNR locos, I believe that the larger cab numerals could be used on just about any loco...either a random free-lanced one, or perhaps on a model of a real loco which may have used similar cab numerals. You should be able to get them HERE Wayne
So who makes the Brass numbers for the cabs? They look to be usable for the Denver and Salt Lake too.
Jim
drgwcsSo who makes the Brass numbers for the cabs? They look to be usable for the Denver and Salt Lake too. Jim
I forget the name of the group who first made them, but if you click on the underlined word HERE (in blue at the end of my post), you should be able to order them.