I have heard that Micro Scale decal number 87-28 is way to orange compared to the color that the Atlas 9733 HO GP40 Rio Grande have. So I’m searching for alternatives.
I also wonder if it’s possible to download the Rio Grande font (number boards, side of cab) somewhere?
I am wondering what is the reason you need a color match on the decal sheet for???
There is a website called www.railfonts.com and they sell software down loads of lettering fonts that match several railroads which I believe is meant for making custom Items for model rialroads like time tables, passes. brocures, and I am sure decals.
James
The reason is that Atlas sells a No# version of their Rio Grande GP40, and the orange that are painted on (big lettering) does not match the decal orange color.
Before you get all wound up, try some of the Microscale decals on a painted black surface - that bright orange may just tone down some! I remember Champ decal came out with NP decals and there was a lot of howling about the stripe material being too dark of a yellow, even sort of orange. Seems that when when you actually applied the decals, the color was correct. That said, I doubt if you will ever get a perfect ‘match’, but they should be close.
Jim
There are signficant variations in the orange as it weathers, although some units actually did have slightly different colors used originally. The best thing to do is try to match up with a known photo. As Jim B. noted, you can’t really tell how orange is going to look over black paint until you’ve tried it. Weathering can also help blend things in better, especially if you’re partially re-decaling a decorated unit.
For the number boards, here’s a specific recommendation. ShellScale Decals provide both a black background and the white decals to mount over them that work for Rio Grande number fonts. The more common sans serif style is covered by their #117 set. For the less common serifed numbers, the #118 set works. Both are 8" high in HO scale.
Here’s the link, which has good illustrations:
http://www.shellscale.com/numberboard%20page.htm
Regards,
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL