If your steam loco is black, then it is really easy to make your own white lettering decals using your computer and some type of white background decal paper. I like to use the Evans Design decal paper as it is opaque, absorbs the ink well and does not need a sealer overspray. To make your decals, use your favorite graphics program to create black background rectangles. Next, find a text font that is close to your model's lettering and type in your desired numbers and/or text assigning the color white to this lettering. When you print out your decals, your printer will actually print only the black background rectangles applying no ink where the white lettering is to be. This will allow the opaque white decal paper to show through the black background. Apply your new decals over the old road numbers and/or text, clearcoat if desired and your done!
One note if you use the Evans Design decal paper: If you want the decal background to remain opaque white, use only hand applied or airbrushed acrylic based clearcoats. Solvent based clearcoats (or even acrylic based clears in an aerosol can) will turn the white background clear permanently. While this requires a little planning, it actually means that you can make both white and clear background decals from the same sheet of Evans Design decal paper.
Hornblower
Many steam locomotives have small number boards. It is not easy to change them. Changing numbers under the cab window is easy however.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
I'm pretty good at forging numbers on boxcars and other rolling stock, even diesel locomotives, but large numbers on the side of a tender are going to be harder. Depending on the font certain numbers can be altered by adding a tiny line of paint or scraping some away with a razor or exacto knife. A 6 can become a 0, etc. You only need to change one number.
j....
These three Athearn GP40s all came from the factory with the same road number. I changed the road numbers on two of them. I simply painted over the factory road number and decaled new numbers using a Microscale decal sheet. I had some Floquil B and M blue paint that matched the Athearn blue paint perfectly.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Are the numbers just on the cab? Or also on the headlight / number boards? In either event I wonder of you could just change one number on one of them; e.g., 2136 or 2125. Remove one and decal a matching style digit, if you can find that decal, or completely renumber one loco with 4 digits of a very similar style decal set, if needed, to get the style consistency needed on that loco. Overcoat with dullcote. I'm sure someone here can be more specific on what will work well; e.g., in terms of number removal, matching paint touchup if needed, etc.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Howdy All I have a mixed bag of steam and deisel locomotives of mixed pedigree. I two have a bachmann Santa Fe 0-6-0 with coal tenders which have the same road number, 2126. I wanted to double head them for small hauling jobs. I am at a loss as to how I can change the numbers but keep the style? Any one wanna throw me a life saver? Thanks Angelo
Freelancing MCRR/NYC Northern Division - Angelo