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Post by Amtrak207 on Nov 25, 2014 7:43:17 GMT -5
The "AMF" ones on the air conditioning unit I made myself. I had a picture of it and just scaled it down, and used custom decal paper. Same with the end car emergency exit instructions. One thing I learned is that custom decals are a lot less forgiving then commercial ones. You have to be delicate with them. The warning labels came from the Microscale 87-527 (GE locomotive data sheet), it looked the closest and definitely worked.
With the upcoming Superliner sleepers, you're going to see a lot more window goodies such as Emergency Exit instructions and a route guide here and there (since they're placed behind the table braced or leaning against the window anyway.)
Tom
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Post by mttrains on Nov 25, 2014 10:34:15 GMT -5
Thank you. I have yet to venture into the realm of custom decals... especially made by me but I may have to with the NJDOT logos. I have to tackle it sooner rather than later. Any advice on that is more than welcome.
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Post by acelaphillies on Nov 25, 2014 19:01:18 GMT -5
Amtrak207, excellent, excellent work! It's been fun to follow your progress. Thanks for the tips as well. They are definitely useful wisdom for all modeling projects. Do you have any photos that you took of the Amfleets before and after you toned down the metal finish? I would love to see a side-by-side.
Mlrr, stunning work! Having been in these cars in real life, you nailed the interior! I find it neat that you can add a lot of variety to your fleet, even though many of the cars start out the same. It adds a lot of interest to the models.
I know I said this earlier, but as the admin I just want to say thanks again for how you guys are all contributing on this site. At one point, I was considering shutting this place down for the lack of members and posts. Now, I am definitely happy that we were able to pull through! There have been so many great projects on here recently, and I think everyone is enjoying it. I will hopefully be adding some of my own stuff again soon. Also, I want to extend a thank you to all of the members for your respectful behavior shown on this forum. I have not have any problems with people violating the rules, and I have been able to be really laid back as a moderator. As a result of everyone respecting each other, I think that everyone is having fun!
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Post by Amtrak207 on Nov 25, 2014 19:55:37 GMT -5
Mtttrains: I used the blank decal paper from MicroMark, it worked well. I used Photoshop and scaled the images down to the appropriate size. I then printed them out on a laserjet printer. I feel that would be better than an inkjet as inkjets tend to smear. While the instructions do advocate using some type of top sealant, I did not do this just to experiment. I had NO issues once i carefully trimmed the decal and placed it face up (ink side up) in water. My first try I submerged it, and as I figured the ink dissolved. As long as the backing is wet yet the ink is NOT, you shouldn't have a problem. The custom decal film seems a little flimsier than commercial paper (Microscale, etc.), so extra care is to be taken. Overall I have gotten used to doing them and honestly, the little "AMF" really stands out on the models. Right before you place the decal on the model, apply a little MICRO SET (NOT MICRO SOL)to the area being applied, then carefully lay the decal on it. You have a leeway of about 1-3 minutes of careful positioning before it settles down. Using MICRO SOL first resulted in the decal film basically dissolving. This also happened with a light coat of applying afterwards. So do not use MICRO SOL for custom decals. Once it settled down, it was sealed with Dull Cote. If you use black ink (which I did for the background), it may run slightly, but I was okay with it as it gave it a nice faded look, plus with some chalk weathering, it looked more realistic.)
Acelaphillies...thank you so much for the kind words, it pushes me to strive for more realism. I have one A-I Cafe that I didn't touch yet, so I will provide pics along with better lighted pics of the models that I have done (as well as a comparison photo.) I hope the camera can capture it as well as the naked eye can, because you can see a toned-down appearance. I think in a few of mine (especially the Amfleet II's, you can actually see how the sheen was toned down.)
No thank YOU for keeping this site up. I would have NEVER found it if you guys didn't tip me off on Railroad.net. I think that is this site's biggest issue is that most modelers aren't aware of it. It is a fantastic site and I am so glad that we are all here. Right now I am just pouring over NUMEROUS Superliner pictures online. For the Amfleets it was not uncommon to have 100-150 pics of every angle, interior and exterior just so I can capture the prototype as best as I could in 1/87 scale.
I really enjoyed the Amfleet project, and while almost completed, I hope you all liked following along. I am not expert detailer/weatherer as Pelle Soeeborg or a few other REALLY talented ones here (like dented gondolas with textured rust, etc.) But for the passenger cars, I am MORE than happy, and a little impressed with what I have done with them. A little dirt and dust goes a LONG way on stainless Amtrak cars. Please stay tuned for the already-announced Superliner project!
I am headed to Chicago in Jan on my annual midwest rail trip. Taking #49, the Lake Shore Ltd from NY to Chicago, returning a few days on #48. In that time I am also taking a day trip to Carbondale via the Saluki and Illini, so I will be taking NUMEROUS pictures of Amfleet II, Amfleet I, Horizon and Viewliner equipment for future models. I will go over the Amfleet models again to ensure I captured everything I possibly could.
Tom
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Post by backshophoss on Nov 25, 2014 21:18:31 GMT -5
About 1/2 of the Horizen Fleet is based in Chicago,the other half might be based in Emeryville or
at Rendondo Jct(LA)as the "swing" fleet for Amtk-Ca services,not sure if you can shoot pics at
platform level at CUS(bring a O2 tank,exhaust does not vent well at CUS)
If you watch WGN America on cable,you know it's real cold that time of the year.
Walters(Terminal Hobby Shop) is a short trip on Hiawatha service to Milwaukee. :-)
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Post by Amtrak207 on Nov 25, 2014 21:23:33 GMT -5
Yea I'm more familiar with CUS than I am with NYP hahaha. The crews that work 391/392 are usually very nice, which is what is normally assigned to the Saluki/Illini. When the train lays over @ Carbondale for the while it is there, I can shoot pics normally in good light until I'm satisfied. The weather is always fun in the midwest, but that makes for more adventuresome railroading!! =D
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Post by backshophoss on Nov 25, 2014 21:59:23 GMT -5
NY Penn is not any better after they close up the vent"stack" next to the P.O.
for Hudson Yards development,the gaps across the puzzle switches are dual-mode killers!
(except for NJT's AL-45dp's)
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Post by mttrains on Nov 26, 2014 20:18:17 GMT -5
Thank you Amtrak207 for that info on the decals. I have all of January to knock out that project taking time for the Springfield show of course.  |
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Post by Amtrak207 on Nov 26, 2014 20:25:10 GMT -5
Which NJ DOT cars are you doing? I do remember a few from my childhood but by that time the Arrows were showing up in multitudes.
Tom
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cab4
Member
Posts: 149
Primary Railroads: Conrail, NJ DOT, Amtrak, SEPTA, NJT
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Post by cab4 on Dec 3, 2014 17:38:25 GMT -5
I think the NJ DOT logos are available from Prime Mover Decals for the locomotive hauled coaches.
I suspect the logos used on the Arrow EMUs (I, II, and III) were a little smaller. I've been trying to see if I could get these made in a smaller size, but no luck.
Personally, I'm working on quite a few of all of these.
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Post by mttrains on Dec 4, 2014 0:27:47 GMT -5
Thanks Cab4 for the heads up. I looked at the site and ordered a few to try out.
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 4, 2014 2:40:59 GMT -5
The NJDOT logos were put on the U34CH,the Comet I's,Arrow I's+ Arrow II's
and some of the E-8's used on the NY&LB(aka NJCL)
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 4, 2014 2:50:51 GMT -5
The same mods done on the Amfleet Cars can be used for Horizen Fleet interiors(if Walters does a
2nd run of the Horizens/Comets.)
A challange would be the Amtk-Ca "Comarrows".
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 14, 2014 21:53:43 GMT -5
When Walters did the 1st run of what is now Viewliner I's,it seem the trucks were done
in a silver plastic,the Question becomes were the trucks silver or black when the
View I's went into service? Seems after a while the trucks were painted black,
and the bolster anchor rods as well.
Here's the challange:If the trucks were painted silver,does anybody have a
prototype pic of this?
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Post by tmurray on Dec 15, 2014 0:02:43 GMT -5
The first actual order for the Viewliners produced by Amerail were delivered with silver trucks. Grime changed the color wihin a few years and most likely, as they were first shopped, they were painted black. Here's a shot of a car a couple of years after delivery with silver trucks: www.hebners.net/Amtrak/amtVIEW/amt62045a.jpgThe former 2301 (second prototype sleeper) was built with them (as were all the prototypes): www.hebners.net/Amtrak/amtVIEW/amt62049aL.jpgWalthers has produced the trucks in silver for the decorated Viewliners and in black for the Amtrak horizon cars and their MHC II and Superliner II cars. |
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