NS Conrail patches

[jsoflo]

How is anyone doing NS patches of former Conrail units?

I am seeking to update my Conrail SD60M 5512 and Conrail dash 8 (6155) to match proto photos which have a white patch with new black NS numbers. Microscale 60-1182 is NS patches and numbers, and on the MS website it shows white patches and black numbers as well as black patches and white numbers. I have learned the hard way that what is shown on the website is the HO sheet, there is no picture of the "same" N scale sheet, when you click on the N scale number it shows the Ho sheet. Once received I have now learned that 60-1182 in N scale only has black patches and white numbers with a whole lot of blank space at the top of the sheet(I am just a bit upset about this).

Any ideas on how to get black NS numbers? Of course I could mask and paint on the white patches, but I cannot find anywhere to match black NS numbers. They are different than RR gothic and all the others I have looked at. I'd prefer not to have to black patches with white numbers.

any ideas?

thanks,
Jan

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Interesting. Did you call Microscale and ask about it?

[bman]

I went to the Microscale website as I thought it was odd that the HO and N sheets were different.  I did notice that the N scale description had (not revised) at the end where as the HO did not.  So that would explain the lack of white patches.
As far as a white patch with black numbers,  if you have a printer, you could try getting white decal paper and printing black numbers.
I was checking photos of (sigh) NS patched CR power and the font looks like Arial to me. I have a really cheap HP printer  and use it to print out number boards for my locomotives using a word type program and its worked well for me .  The only thing is I don't think you can get the smaller lettering under the number, but it looks to be on the decal sheet you have.  Hope this helps.
B

[Ed Kapuscinski]

As far as the white patch panels themselves go, I'd say you can try just using white trim film.

As far as the numbers go, those will be tough, since they're not a normal computer font (but if you can find it, you'll be in luck).

The upside is that they're black numbers, which is the easiest color to print.

But I still think Microscale needs a call complaining about the discrepancy between what they're claiming to sell (on the website) and what they actually did sell.

[Dave V]

I was under the impression that Microscale was drifting away from Conrail these days.

[gebeling]

I actually got the "Not revised" added to the N scale sheet.  I had the same issue as you, the sheet shown had the white patches and black numbers.  Ordered the sheet and what I got did not have the white patches or black numbers.  I was not happy because I already had a copy of the one without white patches.  I emailed Microscale and let them know I was not to happy with what I received.  Got a reply from the president himself.  He said the sheet has been revised but will not be printed until the current stock is gone.  He said it will likely be 6 months or more before it even goes to print.  They offered to send me any other sheet I wanted or would refund my money for that sheet.

[Zox]

As far as the numbers go, those will be tough, since they're not a normal computer font (but if you can find it, you'll be in luck).

Could somebody post some samples of the numbers here? I've got a ton of fonts.

If I find a match I could let you know what it is, and maybe make a PDF file with some appropriate digit sequences in the correct size so it could be printed out.

[ljudice]

I think there is a BNSF patch set that has what looks to me like EXACTLY the right font....  Just do a search on BNSF on the microscale site...

(these were for ATSF patched units - black letters with a yellow patch)

Lou

[ljudice]

Here:

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-1035&Category_Code=BNSF&Product_Count=34


Not a lot of black letters, but I think they are correct font and size...

Lou

[Zox]

Here:

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-1035&Category_Code=BNSF&Product_Count=34


Not a lot of black letters, but I think they are correct font and size...

Lou

Okay, the digits look like Swiss 721 Bold or Helvetica Bold--most people should have a version of this, since Helvetica is one of the "standard" Postscript/PDF fonts.

The "BNSF" lettering is a different matter--Cooper Black is close, but not perfect.

Helvetica: http://www.linotype.com/526/helvetica-family.html?subviewmode=FONTS&samplestr=1234567890

Cooper Black: http://www.linotype.com/284/cooperblack-family.html?subviewmode=FONTS&samplestr=BNSF

[jsoflo]

Thank you for all the replies, here is a picture of the unit I am trying to do with the font:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=624837

I will be calling Microscale but can already see the response, not going to do me much good for approximately 6 months I guess. Sort of ridiculous, seems they just want to get rid of old stock before they'll give us whats actually correct, and what the HO guys are already getting, and won't warn us in the meantime.

What are the opinions on how close the BNSF is from everyone?

thanks,
Jan

[Philip H]

The BNSF decals look like they would do you in a pinch, especially if a temporary partial foobie doesn't bother you!

FWIW, I see a small but important flaw in Microscale's plan - if they wait 6 months to bring out new decals to match the HO offering, and no one in N scale buys the current stock becasue they are waiting for the new stock, then Microscale may well end up with sufficient back stock of the old stuff that they don't end up doing the new ones.  Sort of a tail chasing the dog kind of thing.

[ljudice]

The BNSF black numbers look "heavier" - maybe too heavy...

Sorry, I thought it was a good match - I'm in the same boat with you though, waiting for the revised set...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Be careful though, I've seen a number of different styles of patches.

I don't like to mention it (it makes me feel dirty), but the CRHS site also has a whole section devoted to patched "survivors": http://thecrhs.org/?q=ConrailSurvivors/Locomotives

You may be able to find a good side shot there and take it to whatthefont.com

[jsoflo]

Ed,

thanks for the link to that "dirty place,"  big help, looks like a road number change of plans is in my future.

still, very dispappointed in microscale and they get the call next week.

and I can personally claim responsibility for having bought 2 sheets to bring the stock down, the first without knowing of the difference and the second because I thought I had screwed up somehow. Are we pretty close to getting our revised sheet now?

thanks again,
Jan