Pretty much finished the repaint today. Decided to go with a Rio Grande paint job, mainly because I “model” Colorado scenery, and I wanted an engine with safety stripes on the ends.
The cost for the project wasn’t that bad. I figure about $35.00 for the engine, $6.00 for paint (black spray paint, gloss-coat and dull-coat, testors white for handrails and ladders), maybe $1.00 worth of masking tape, $2.00 worth of paint stripping supplies, and $10.50 for the decals. I was hoping to use the larger Rio Grande lettering, but as the Lionel engine isn’t scale in length, they wouldn’t fit.
If you ever decide you want to use decals for safety stripes, go ahead and start working on that rocket science degree. It would be easier. I spent about 8 hrs. just on getting the stripes right, and they still aren’t. The problem was compounded by the unremovable handrails. Lionel used some good glue to put those on. I used wax paper to try and make a template of the loco. ends, and then transfer them to the decal sheet to make the cut-outs for marker lights, handrails, etc. Didn’t really work. Overall it was a fun project. Not as well done as I wished, but thats how it goes. This was my first diesel repaint, and not sure I would attempt it on anything that had some value. I at least learned what my limitations are.
