I need to add the “Santa Fe” decals to my Genesis F7Bs, and was wondering if anyone has had experience with this. I have done plenty of decaling, but am not too sure about decaling over the simulated stainless steel panels. I would assume that Solvaset would mess up the finish. I have a hard time bringing myself to want to apply a coat of clear over the decals as well. I have put this off too long and really need to get it done. Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I also need to decal a brass Coach Yard model of the business car “Topeka”. It has a factory finish on it. I have never decaled a brass car. I definately want to get this one right. I have both the Microscale decals and the Coach Yard decals for this car.
This is what I have done with Highliner SF Plated B units and a complete Coach Yard passenger train.
You can apply the decals like any other surface, but make sure you cut the film off of the decal as close as possible and wash it very well. The problem that can occur with decals on stainless simulated brass or plating on the B units is the decal will apear to have a milkly film under it if it is not washed clean. I normally use a small brush and wash the decal back and forth a few times in clean water before applying it. If you use a small amount of the blue bottle Micro Set, they will lay down on the surface and you can skip the coating if the unit is treated with some care.
When you use the Micro Set, mix it with a small amount of water so it is not too strong.
It is always better to coat the decal, but in my personal use of the decals on the Coach Yard and Overland plated brass, I skip the coating.
I think the ‘boosters’ had just a logo on the side and no ‘Santa Fe’ lettering. The long ‘Santa Fe’ was only applied to ‘cab’ units(but there may have been exceptions…).
I always spray a Hi-Gloss clear over the ‘metal’ finish, then decal, and overspray with either a flat or something with a ‘egg shell’ finish. I have had problems with decal film adhesion when just trying to decal to a metal finish.
Also, ‘Topeka’ only had the ‘name’ - No Santa Fe lettering up in the letterboard area(I had to look at several pictures and have never seen the Santa Fe lettering - Strange).
Thanks for both responses. That is exactly what I was looking for.
As far as the F7Bs, they were delivered without the “Santa Fe”, but that was added later on. And with the Topeka, none of the photos I have seen had the “Santa Fe”. I do appreciate the confirmation on this because I have not seen any photos “as delivered”. I was told by someone that there was “Santa Fe” in very small lettering on the on the rear, I believe in the railing area. The sheet from The Coach Yard has some very small “Santa Fe” decals, so this may be a possibility. I did install some MV lenses (red over clear) on the tail (marker?) light.
Smitty, the photos I found so far on Fallen Flags only show the SF emblem on the B units, the “Santa Fe” on the A units. As was said, there may have been an exception or two, but I haven’t found a photo of one yet. The blue/yellow F7 B’s did have the Santa Fe spelled out in yellow.
On the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society site, there was a source that stated that the “Santa Fe” was added on the B units in 1954. I am not sure on the accuracy of this info, but it was cited in their newsletter (The Warbonnet) in an article on the F units. The train that I am modeling is based on a 1958 consist. I can’t find any other sources that mentioned the 1954 lettering, so I am not sure at this point.
My bad… I found a few pics of the B units with the black “Santa Fe” on the sides. They were taken in the 70’s, no pics of the 50’s on Fallen Flags site that I could find.
No biggie. I wasn’t looking to “prove you wrong”. I am just really unsure about the dates. The pic that I posted was from either the late 60s or early 70s (I can’t remember), so it still leaves a few questions. Thanks!!