Author Topic: Font for Freight cars  (Read 2149 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

TrainCat2

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 2004
  • Gender: Male
  • I'm here to take a beating from RailWire members.
  • Respect: +888
    • TrainCat Model Sales
Font for Freight cars
« on: September 05, 2009, 02:16:43 PM »
0
What is the most common font that is used for the Capacity, Lt Wt and all of the Dim Data for rollingstock in the 60's, 70's and 80's ??

Also, where can I get it ??

Regards
boB Knight

I Spell boB Backwards

amato1969

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 1363
  • Gender: Male
  • Respect: +892
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2009, 04:22:29 PM »
0
Bob, I am finishing up some decal artwork for Lehigh Valley USRE boxcars (those cool green 40-footers).  Using Corel Draw, a font called "NewsGoth BT" matched the dimi data.

I had to manually trace the Capy, Ld Lmt, and Lt Wt lettering, as I could not find anything close.

  Frank

Mark5

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11037
  • Always with the negative waves Moriarty ...
  • Respect: +608
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2009, 04:34:31 PM »
0
these vary but usually are stenciled more towards a sans serif style


wm3798

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 16126
  • Gender: Male
  • I like models. She likes antiques. Perfect!
  • Respect: +6468
    • Western Maryland Railway Western Lines
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2009, 04:34:42 PM »
0
I just use off-the-rack Arial.  By the time you shrink it down to 1.5 pt., you can't really tell the difference.


I do bold face it, and substitute a lower case L for the numeral 1, but otherwise it's straight up.

Lee
Rockin' It Old School

Lee Weldon www.wmrywesternlines.net

Ed Kapuscinski

  • Global Moderator
  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 24747
  • Head Kino
  • Respect: +9272
    • Conrail 1285
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2009, 05:59:11 PM »
0
Wow, but you sure can see the decal film! ;-) Micro-sol, micro-sol and MORE micr-sol! I think my SD45 has about 10 applications of it by now.

Dave Schneider

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 2377
  • Respect: +51
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2009, 06:11:11 PM »
0
Bob,

I used Arial Narrow for the dimensional data on this car, but Tom Mann suggested Century Gothic would be a better choice. I haven't tried that as the car isn't ready for decals yet! I think either one would work well once it is too small to see.

If you are looking for lettering fonts, try www.Railfonts.com. I do recall someone having issues with a letter or two, but the Milwaukee Road and RR Roman works fine.

BTW, this car would be a great kit or car side overlay. At the rate you are churning out eastern prototypes those guys are going to go bankrupt. You might want to consider something for those of us who model the Milwaukee Road...wouldn't this car look great on the MiNi-Modutrak layout (lettered for DSDX of course)?

Best wishes, Dave

If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

TrainCat2

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 2004
  • Gender: Male
  • I'm here to take a beating from RailWire members.
  • Respect: +888
    • TrainCat Model Sales
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2009, 08:22:12 PM »
0
Thanks guys,

I have a few modern projects in the works such as these. My master for the Argon Tankcar is complete and something else I would like to try.


Regards
boB Knight

I Spell boB Backwards

Dave V

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 11231
  • Gender: Male
  • Foothills Farm Studios -- Dave's Model Railroading
  • Respect: +9345
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2009, 08:44:24 PM »
0
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need 2 or 3 of those.  SLOW DOWN!!!

pfs

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 571
  • HPI 1975-?
  • Respect: +5
Re: Font for Freight cars
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2009, 09:58:26 PM »
0
Faster Faster, the sooner we get transfer cabeese. (At MBK or FRT one hopes)

I know HO guys that will sell their wife/mother for those Flexi-Flo's



I have to agree with Century Gothic as a solid generic for capt lt wt etc. for the eras you listed.