Ho Suydam Swift Meat Packing Plant Sign Needed.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello,

I have an old Suydam HO Swift Meat Packing Plant #85 that I need to build and the sign sheet is missing. I tried contacting Alpine Scale Models who have now taken over the kits to the old Suydam kits and the could not help me. I was wondering if anyone out there might have an extra sign sheet they never used or any other suggestions. Any help would be great.

Thanks,

Mark

2

Mark,

The typical ‘Swift’ sign on a building was one of 2 variations:

  • Stand-Alone - Black background with gold edging, and gold ‘Swift & Co.’ lettering.
  • Stenciled on the brick - Large black background with a large ‘Swift’ in the same font as on the famous red reefers.

IIRC, the cardstock sign that Suydam used was black with either white or brick red lettering.

Jim

3

I can usually find what I need with Google. Sometimes it takes a while, but eventually a picture will show up that you can use. You can either print them out directly (I like card stock paper for this, because it’s stiffer) or use a decal and apply it to the brick wall, if that’s what the kit has.

I’ll try to remember this thread later in the day when I get home, and scan a couple of car sides for you.

Or maybe this will hold up for a while:

4

I used to have one of those on my layout , don’t know if the sign sheet is still in my drawer or not , I’ll look when I get home tonight.

5

Thanks for all the help. I dont have a color printer, wish I did.

Mark

6

Maybe it’s time to get one. I find my printer to be one of my most valuable tools for the hobby; sign making, brick paper, etc., etc. You can get one pretty cheap if you shop around a bit. I had a friend that was upgrading his printer and I bought his old one for 25 bucks, it’s not fast, but it prints just fine.

In the meantime if someone posts a picture for you, just copy it to a floppy, CD or memory stick and take it to a local printing shop and have them print it out for you for a buck or two.

7

Yea, I have the kit and it is still partially built. Started it when I was a young lad in the 1970’s. It sits in a box now, I will search the train room to see if I have any of the original signs.

8

Is this the sign you’re looking for?

I’ve got a Swift plant, but I got it in the early 60’s in a yard sale box o’ trains, so I have no idea who made it.

If you’re really having a problem dealing with the printer thing, well, you need a girlfriend with a printer. If that’s not the answer (yeah, I know, you’ve got a girlfriend but she’s only got an old Epson black ‘n’ white that takes tractor feed paper) then send me an e-mail, let me know what size the sign is, and I’ll mail you a copy.

I know what it’s like. I’ve still got a box of tractor feed paper…

9

I was in Best Buy monday, they have a new HP printer/scanner/copier for $29.99!!! I paid $300 for my first one that only printed & $100 for the one I have now (both HP’s) I almost bought the $29.99 one because it was less than the black ink cartrige I went to buy (color one’s still OK). Everything is disposable today!!![:D][xx(]

10

Yes thats the sign, you would think working for a fortune 500 company they would have a colored printer, but no. lol.

Not sure the size it was originally printed as I believe the sign sheet was 2 larger ones for the 2 corners and then 1 smaller one for delivery entrance. I believe the 2 large signs were about 1.5"x3"? The 1 smaller ones were about half that.

Does anyone have one built up to know the size by chance?

Thanks,

Mark