HO freight car painting and lettering

[Chris Alvord]

I have just purchased several undecorated car kits. I have never
painted a car from scratch so I have several questions.

What is a good general source of information for to find specific paint
schemes and lettering for different roads and eras?

If I see a prototype car that I want to copy, how do I find the
appropriate decals? I can't imagine that decals are available for every
car made.

What are all of the required reporting marks on railroad cars and what
do they mean?

Where do I get information on the correct numbering convention to
follow?

By the way, I am most interested in cars common to western railroads
(UP, SP, BN, SF, WP, D&RGW - especially cars still in fallen flag colors
used by current owner) and common lease companies (railbox, herzog,
union cars, solid gold).

[Tim O'Connor]

Chris Alvord wrote:

> What is a good general source of information for to find specific paint
> schemes and lettering for different roads and eras?

Books and magazines publish photos and lettering diagrams. There
areliterally hundreds of books, for modelers, historians, and
professionals.
The best magazines for prototype info/photos are Railmodel Journal,
Mainline Modeler, Model Railroading, and Railroad Model Craftsman.
Model Railroader ... don't bother to look there.

> If I see a prototype car that I want to copy, how do I find the
> appropriate decals?

Catalogs. Some decal catalogs are online: Oddballs includes hislettering
diagrams, so you can see what the car looks like. Champ
and Microscale are online but don't have diagrams. Sounds like you
model the modern era -- buy yourself a Miller-Herald King catalog,
just for all the pictures. Also Walthers used to print lettering diagram
books, and Champ has two such books.

Also, magazine articles. RMJ and others have often mentioned the
appropriate decals to use for cars shown in their articles.

> I can't imagine that decals are available for every
> car made.

That's what keeps decal vendors in business!! You're quite right,even
though thousands of sets have been produced, they only
represent a fraction of all possible paint schemes -- maybe 1%
of all the different schemes that have existed since the 1930's.

> What are all of the required reporting marks on railroad cars

These are required by AAR rules, and some by FRA rules (at
least I think some are required by FRA). The rules have changed
many times over the years. Rules and diagrams are published in
books like Car Builder's Cyclopedia, or in reprints like the
TrainShed series (available through Walthers).

> Where do I get information on the correct numbering convention
> to follow?

Research! Reading! Asking specific questions!

[Lynn Gobin]

Chris Alvord wrote:

> What is a good general source of information for to find specific paint
> schemes and lettering for different roads and eras?

Keep your eyes open for every possible book or magazine article about your favorite prototypes. I've seen
dozens of publications at the train shows, and have seen "paint scheme" books offered for sale at the shows and
in add in the hobby mags. And don't be cheap. Shell out the bucks. I can speak from experience: you will be
rewarded.

But your best bet on very specific cars of a specific era is to join the historical society for your favorite
prototype(s). They often have a publication, usually quarterly, and offer back issues for sale. Some have
great research departments or archives available. In my research, the C&NW, N&W, and the Milw Rd historical
societies have been extremely helpful and kind.

And besides, your yearly dues go to a fine cause: the preservation of railroading history.

--
Lynn Gobin
West Side Lumber Co. Model Railroad Club
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5813/westside.html
lgo...@ix.netcom.com

[James Fischer]

Chris Alvord wrote:
>
> I have just purchased several undecorated car kits. I have never
> painted a car from scratch so I have several questions.
>

> What is a good general source of information for to find specific paint
> schemes and lettering for different roads and eras?
>

> If I see a prototype car that I want to copy, how do I find the

> appropriate decals? I can't imagine that decals are available for every
> car made.
>

> What are all of the required reporting marks on railroad cars and what
> do they mean?
>

> Where do I get information on the correct numbering convention to
> follow?
>

> By the way, I am most interested in cars common to western railroads
> (UP, SP, BN, SF, WP, D&RGW - especially cars still in fallen flag colors
> used by current owner) and common lease companies (railbox, herzog,
> union cars, solid gold).

Chris, you packed a lot of questions in a small post. Try the Kalmbach
books on painting and weathering in plastic for the basix on painting.
They have good lettering techniques too.

Prototype Modeller and issues of CTC Board, Extra 2200 South, and other
publications will have materials you are looking for on car type,
numbers, and colors (photos). Back issues of MR and RMC will help too.

Talk to modelers in your hobby shop. Ask around, Mr. know-it-all will
turn up soooner or later. Buy him lunch and soon you will have all the
info you need on your particular car-quest of the month.

Bring a camera with you whenever you are travelling. You never know
when you are going to see the car you are interested in, even fallen
flags up to 35 years old!! Snap it. The car reporting marks may not be
from your "era" but at least the car is.

You also won't believe how many custom and regular line decals are
available. Microscale alone will get you at least half of what you're
looking for.

Post here too, if you have a prototype question or are curious about
available graphics for the particular car project you are on. You'll
get some answers.

Good luck