Initial CGW decal sheet proposal to Microscale.

[wcfn100]

 If this herald is accurate, I can supply the vector drawing in whatever size is required.

The herald you have is probably more than good enough for an N or even HO scale model, but it does have many small issues.




If anything, I would say round out the small c,g and o and also round off the tails on all the small letters.  And on the big letters, slide the middle bar of the 'E' up a bit and maybe touch up the 'S'.


Obviously this is my wheelhouse so please take this as just constructive critisism.  Plus I'm sure my drawing has issues as well.  

edit: To put my money where my mouth is, here's the biggest render I could find of my artwork.



Jason

[bbussey]

It's your "wheelhouse" as you say, but it is also your road.  It isn't mine, so admittedly I am not as familiar with the intricacies and would defer to your judgment regarding herald artwork.  If it turns out that you end up taking the custom-decals route, I will modify the herald artwork I have based on your suggestions and donate it to the cause, as well as supply you with the name of the MS custom-work contact.

[Sokramiketes]

I got tired of waiting.   



I only had two 36" LS heralds in stock, they're from an Oddballs set.  I mounted them on .005" styrene for the red caboose.

Intermediate scheme is all Microscale.  Jason, weren't you wondering what that small herald was for?

CBR herald is Oddballs again with MS 12" numbers.  Was going to make this another LS scheme, but not having the heralds on hand and still having dreams of a CGW 2-10-4, I figured, why not?  I never did pick one era to model...

[wcfn100]

I got tired of waiting.   



Intermediate scheme is all Microscale.  Jason, weren't you wondering what that small herald was for?

No, the small herald is used for a ton of things like the F unit noses, other diesel cab sides, and cabooses.  It's the medium (24") herald that has no use at all, which appears to be what you used.   

Jason

[Sokramiketes]

No, the small herald is used for a ton of things like the F unit noses, other diesel cab sides, and cabooses.  It's the medium (24") herald that has no use at all, which appears to be what you used.   

Jason

You're right, I had previously cut off the smaller heralds on that sheet.  So, it is the medium one, and fits between the ribs on the caboose side like it should.  But, you're saying it's not the right size?  I think the 19" one would look too small but will compare closer to photos tonight.

[sirenwerks]

I'm still trying to figure out the ribs on the NE-5 roof. I can see them in a few photos on the majority of the center of the roof, but they don't come over the rounded edge. What's up with that? Where does the rib stop? Are there drawings of an NE-5 available anywhere that I could get to study?

[Sokramiketes]

I'm still trying to figure out the ribs on the NE-5 roof. I can see them in a few photos on the majority of the center of the roof, but they don't come over the rounded edge. What's up with that? Where does the rib stop? Are there drawings of an NE-5 available anywhere that I could get to study?

Picture the rounded edge of the roof as a piece of quarter-round running the length.  The seams on the roof panels are on the flat portion, and the rounded edge is a separate piece, essentially giving you another seam lengthwise.

[wcfn100]

You're right, I had previously cut off the smaller heralds on that sheet.  So, it is the medium one, and fits between the ribs on the caboose side like it should.  But, you're saying it's not the right size?  I think the 19" one would look too small but will compare closer to photos tonight.

Mike, I spent a good deal of time trying to debunk the 24" herald, and I feel I did so successfully (in my mind).

The two things to look for on the caboose are the relative size of the herald to the ribs and numbers.  If the herald was 24" it would obviously be twice the size of the letters, but it always comes up clearly short.  Also, there should be more open space before the ribs on either side of the herald.  I believe I've measured the center ribs at about 27" on center (the rest are 24").  If the herald was 24", it would fill the entire space.  But you can easily see in the phtots that there is a bit of space still around the herald.

Please let me know what you find.  Any confirmation would help going forward with MS.

Jason

[wcfn100]

Mike, on a second note, when you look at the caboose pics, take a second to look at the running boards.  It is my belief that niether of the dip schemes had black running boards.  I have never seen a conclusive shot to show black on the NE5s, and any angle that does show the running boards well enough, shows someting other than black.


Jason

[Sokramiketes]

Mike, on a second note, when you look at the caboose pics, take a second to look at the running boards.  It is my belief that niether of the dip schemes had black running boards.  I have never seen a conclusive shot to show black on the NE5s, and any angle that does show the running boards well enough, shows someting other than black.


Jason

If Ron's in the shop tonight, I'll pose a couple questions.  He did the original art for the Microscale set, and since he usually traces RR drawings, there must have been some reference to a 24" herald in his collection of paper.  I'll also ask about the running boards, but what color would they have been if not black?  They probably weren't removed to paint the roof... and I can't imagine CGW masking the roofwalks just to leave them body color...  but again, I haven't been looking for a different color up there and could easily have over looked it.

[wcfn100]

There are references to 24" heralds for sure.  Keep in mind, some of those references say that they were used for the nose of the F units.  If Ron has any examples I'd would love to see them.  If it includes the phase "So and so said..."  you can save it.

From what I can tell, the only soft rule I can see for the running boards (all schemes) is that they were painted the same color as the end rails and ladders.   I have seen pictures where it looks like the body got repainted red but the tops of the ladders and running boards were still maroon (purple actually, but not black). I guess the question to be answered is were the roofs actually painted or were they coated with something.  I think they may have been coated, but haven't really looked into it.  For a comparison, look at the last batch of bay windows.  They clearly have black painted roofs and look nothing like the NEs as far as the finish goes.


Jason

[wcfn100]

Here's probably the best example on RRPA.  Please, someone try to tell me that the running board is black.  Better yet, try to tell me how the black faded to purple. 

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=608705


Keep in mind, some transfer cabooses had black gear.  But as for the NE5s, there just isn't any proof.



Jason

[Sokramiketes]

Here's probably the best example on RRPA.  Please, someone try to tell me that the running board is black.  Better yet, try to tell me how the black faded to purple. 

Keep in mind, some transfer cabooses had black gear.  But as for the NE5s, there just isn't any proof.

Jason

Ahhh... you need a top-down shot.  I would bet money that the roof walk is black for the rest of the way.  This is like the CNW Renton Rebuild reefers.  The roofwalks were silver, but the ends (just the tips) were dark green from when the end of the car was masked off and painted green.  From the ground, all you see is green.  Till you get a shot from above.  There's a good shot of the CNW reefers in the Morning Sun reefer book we were just talking about that shows this.  And here's my model of the same:

[wcfn100]

Ahhh... you need a top-down shot.

I''l take that bet.

Look at #600 on pg 89 of the color book.  It shows the entire length of the running gear. It's not black. 

Look at another pic of #613 on pg 93.  It clearly shows the entire landing (where the ladder meets the running board) as red.  Dozens of other pictures of different cars verify that the landing area is not black.

Jason

[wcfn100]

A different shot of #613 (click for a little larger image).




edit: This picture also lends itself to the 'coating' on the roof rather than paint.

Jason