SP Speed Decal Size in N

[Rivet Miscounter]

Howdy!

I am looking for a suitably-sized "SP Speed Letter" logo decal for a Z-scale SD45.

What size is suitable?  Good question.   I hope that one of the SP experts here might have actual prototype dimensions.   And of course you could also work backward from N/HO/O decals or locos.

Based on photos and having the actual Z loco in hand, I'm measuring roughly 1-3/8" (25.21 scale feet) X 1/4" (4.58 scale feet)    I measured with both an imperial ruler and then with a scale ruler.   The scale ruler results were about 6-8 scale inches longer in each direction, (26ft x 5ft) which probably isn't too bad for eyeballing the approximate ends of the logo in z-scale.

I also perused the Microscale catalog and here are the decals that I think would be possible sets that might have one that is close.
List of possible decal sets that might have the right size SP Speed Letter logo:
60-857 N Scale - Southern Pacific - Diesels, Speed Lettering (1991-1996)- Diesel http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-857
60-620 N Scale - Southern Pacific - EMD/M-K GP40M-2 Diesels, Speed Lettered (1991-1996) Diesel http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-620
60-4298 N Scale - Southern Pacific 89' Enclosed Autoracks - Speed Lettering Scheme (1991-1996) http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-4298
60-4160 N Scale - Southern Pacific 50' Speed Lettering Box Cars, 1995+ http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-4160
I supposed there could be a small version of the logo in some HO set, or another manufacturer could have something.   If anyone knows of some other source to check I am all ears.   If anyone has these sets and can give them a quick check with a ruler I would appreciate it.

Thanks for any help y'all can offer up with this.

P.S. Here is what I'm hoping to end up with....an "SD40M-2."
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/482190?fbclid=IwAR3_O2qB2ekMyUhXSNdE80HeMWbDrYLxwz6KwFdJQZSIWR5AS4PxEMT1ooM
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/207702?fbclid=IwAR1xJWTj95-KEC30z_BsA2B4lYsGRUC4VNKiZHazNn6sNPJb6n8qIZeMCS4

[Rivet Miscounter]

As an aside...I did find this.  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SP_Speed_Lettering.svg

Doesn't necessarily directly help, but could be useful if I have to get a custom decal made.  (hoping to avoid that)  I'm also not entirely sure this logo is spot-on either.

[tehachapifan]

There is an N scale Microscale set that has SP speed lettering for switchers that might be in the ballpark for what you're looking for. I'll see if I can get you a set number.

Update: OK, check out set number 60-857. There's a couple speed lettering logos on the sheet that are smaller and are intended for N scale switchers. I actually used these on an N scale switcher so, if you want, I can measure them.

[Rivet Miscounter]

There is an N scale Microscale set that has SP speed lettering for switchers that might be in the ballpark for what you're looking for. I'll see if I can get you a set number.

Update: OK, check out set number 60-857. There's a couple speed lettering logos on the sheet that are smaller and are intended for N scale switchers. I actually used these on an N scale switcher so, if you want, I can measure them.

If you don't mind measuring I would appreciate it.

As I study the images of the decal sets more, I feel like that smaller logo in that 857 set is likely too small.   I'm assuming the larger logo is what I would use for an N SD45, and Z is 72.72%.   SO that smaller logo would have to be just under 3/4 the size of the larger and it looks closer to something like 5/8.    The 620 set on the other hand looks like it has one slightly less small that might do the trick.  Again, assuming the large logo in that set is the same as the large logo in 857.  I read that initially the GP40's had smaller logos and then went to the larger "standard" which I assume means across the board including the SD45R/SD40M-2 variants.  Of course, I would be happy for you to measure it out to my earlier measurements and prove me wrong.   My LHS has a pretty good stock of Microscale decals so I may swing by there in the morning.

[tehachapifan]

Ok, just measured the logo off the 857 set at roughly 1 1/8" long.

[Rivet Miscounter]

Ok, just measured the logo off the 857 set at roughly 1 1/8" long.

Thank you.   Seems like it might be a little small.   And it seems like the next closest set might be a little too big.  Now I'm thinking the one possible option might be the HO boxcar set.   That logo seems small for HO and just doing the math it seems like it could be close.

Otherwise I'm probably grasping....some HO MOW set or something like that.

[Rivet Miscounter]

I can confirm that the logo in the HO boxcar set is almost exactly 1-3/4", so too large.   And it truly looks way too large, as you would expect from a 3/8" difference in Z.   So, moving right along...

[JoeD]

I have an alps...might be able to help you...Let me see what I have.

Joe

[Rivet Miscounter]

I have an alps...might be able to help you...Let me see what I have.

Joe

Joe, thank you that is a very gracious offer!   I have one of the Microscale 620 sets on the way...not feeling very confident about it though.   It should be here Saturday so I'll know more then.   If that doesn't work, name your price.   

[JoeD]

Joe, thank you that is a very gracious offer!   I have one of the Microscale 620 sets on the way...not feeling very confident about it though.   It should be here Saturday so I'll know more then.   If that doesn't work, name your price.   

No problem...I can probably use a few too.

LOL

Joe

[Rivet Miscounter]

OK, so I think I'm closer with the 60-620 set.   It is 1-9/16" so about 3/16" longer than my original measurement but strangely right at about 1/4" in height.   So perhaps the photo I was going from was not the best reference, but overall it "looks" pretty good...it does look very slightly longer to my eye--which it is--but not egregiously so.   I'll say it looks close enough that I've started the process of stripping the Roman lettering off.   

If another option presents itself soon I would definitely pursue, but I think this one will work if not.   I do still think that the length needs to be between 1-3/8" and 1-7/16", and with appropriate proportions otherwise.   I am a little surprised that I've not come across that actual real size of the graphic, as crazy as SP fans are. (and I mean that in the most loving way)   

[tehachapifan]

Through casual observation rather than actual measuring, I have noticed there are at least 2 different styles of SP speed lettering (3 if you include some later GP38-2 leasers). Some have what appear to be lettering that is perhaps more scrunched with the leading "S" being on a weird angle. These different styles (fonts?) may possibly have different overall lengths, but I don't know for certain. I do know that Microscale chose the wrong version for the ones intended for switchers. Those should have the "S" on the weird angle.