I hope this question doesn’t upset the purists among us–but has anyone ever marketed passenger silhouette decals so us realists can apply them to the inside of windows on the older cars? Or maybe the older plastic windows aren’t even conducive to this. Regardless, I think silhouettes, while obviously nowhere near as cool as passenger models in detailed interiors, look way better than the empty car look. I realize that sticking decals on older cars wouldn’t be wise for collecting/resale but for play by kids it’s good. Anybody tried painting silhouettes?
Thanks!
Ron, the postwar Lionel passenger cars all had silhouetts in the windows, and so did the trolly. I’m pretty sure that this continued into the MPC era on the 027 and O gauge aluminum cars, but not on the heavyweight style cars. What cars do you have?
Ron years ago when I was doing graphic arts, I made my own on the computer. Did 'em in Quark Express and Photoshop. They were all different and some had blinds in front of the people… some windows just had the blinds… I tried to make as much variety as I could. I printed them on a light blue colored (to suggest tinted windows) coated ad stock paper and adhered them using diluted white glue to clear plastic which then went inside the cars.
Of course, I repaint so much that I never think about resale value. I like having roads I like in the smaller sized cars I can run. Besides, prices on anything that isn’t mint or pristine, prewar/postwar or very unusual and in the box are on the general downward slide. You only live once, so you might as well have fun with the trains. [:D]
And MY idea of fun isn’t looking at unopened boxes on a shelf. [8]
Opinions on this matter do differ though.
Elliot, prewar cars did not have silhouettes; and Madison cars lacked them until 1950.
Thanks for the clarification Bob, I wasn’t sure about the Madison cars, I was mainly thinking about the aluminum and 027 cars.
I’m not sure if Ron is even into prewar trains, and I certainly am not, but I’ve seen a lot over the years, and now I can’t remember if any even have acetate in the windows. I’m guessing that some did, and some didn’t have anything but holes.
I actually have a buddy who has a nice collection of perwar displayed on his wall, I’ll have to pay more attention next time I go over there.
All my 607’s and 608’s have window strips.
Just to expand on what Brianel suggested, If you have access to a laser printer you can print on clear transparency. This would allow clear windows or you could tint them blue, creme, etc to taste. A color laser printer would be ideal. I have not had similar luck with inkjet printers though they would probably be fine if you printed on paper.
Pete
I should have added that Model Railroader did an article many years ago on using color slides inserted in window frames. This would allow using actual people like family members riding your rails. With modern scanners this would be very easy to do.
Pete
Thanks for all the helpfull suggestions. I particularly like the idea of family members. The cars I’m taking about are 70’s era Lionel such as Southern Crescent (9531 etc. 1977-8) and Milwaukee (9504 etc. 1973-4). I’ve had these cars apart and unless someone removed the Silhouettes they never had them. As well I’ve seen lots of these cars and similar on Ebay with no silhouettes evident.