[imatt88]

Ok gang,


Here is the deal as of today.....

I've scoured eBay, checked online train stores, contacted several recommended Lionel restoration/repair outfits online, and even e-mailed Lionel directly...and,

No one makes replacement decals sheets for the Alcos I have...

So, what do you guys think I should do? Wait, run them as is, and hope decals show up?...or pick up some new decal sheets, rebuild, repaint, and rename them?

I'm really struggling with this one because I wanted to keep them as original as possible, but it seems the train gods are not in my favor.

Help

 

[Big Ed]

Ok gang,


Here is the deal as of today.....

I've scoured eBay, checked online train stores, contacted several recommended Lionel restoration/repair outfits online, and even e-mailed Lionel directly...and,

No one makes replacement decals sheets for the Alcos I have...

So, what do you guys think I should do? Wait, run them as is, and hope decals show up?...or pick up some new decal sheets, rebuild, repaint, and rename them?

I'm really struggling with this one because I wanted to keep them as original as possible, but it seems the train gods are not in my favor.

Help

What Alco's are you talking about?

The ones in the posted other thread?
If so why didn't you post this question there?

I might know of a guy on e bay that makes custom decals. He might be able to make some up.

 

[T-Man]

I would suggest making a template and cut the design then spray it on. Forget a decal. Time is on your side. You could find some yellow tape and mimic the design and apply it or color a tape with a colored sharpie. If you are determined it will happen. The nice thing about tape is that it can be removed when you find a decal.

The Sante Fe Ball I would find on the ineternet and print it and mod podge it on. Paint the yellow center.

 

[tjcruiser]

Matt,

You can buy special "decal paper" that will work with a regular inkjet printer. The only downside is that your typical printer can't generate the color white. But if your need is for red/yellow/blue, then this might be a good option ... if you have a little PC-drawing creativity ... Photoshop, Paint ... things like that.

You might check in with Stillakid and Bradimous1 ... I think they both were looking into this in a recent thread ...

http://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=3241&highlight=decals

Good luck!

TJ

 

[imatt88]

Gang,

I've tried making my own decals in the past for my aircraft, but it never turned out the way I wanted it to.

Testors used to make a home decal kit, but it wasn't the greatest.

My home printer isn't working right now, so that definately dosen't help matters.

I've never really used any computer programs for markings. I tried it, but wasn't very good at it.

I've found decals on Microscale's webpage that I could use to spruce up the Marx F-3s that I have..

The Alcos are a different story.....

 

[tjcruiser]

Matt,

A suggestion, perhaps ...

Get some tracing paper and lay it as carefully as possible on the Alco fronts. You may have to use a few different strips to get it to follow the curved contours. Next, trace whatever design outlines you'd like to reproduce ... don't worry about the tiny details (like the logo), but rather focus on getting the stripe curvature and spacing right.

Lay those "templates out flat" and scan them, if you can ... into a jpg file, perhaps. Import that into Photoshop, Paint, etc., and use that as your starting point to smooth out the edge curves, add color to the stripes, etc.

A print shop like Kinkos can help with the color printing.

I can give the Photoshop end a crude-man's try, if you get stuck. PM me if you get to that point.

TJ

 

[imatt88]

TJ,

PM inbound