Decals

Look around for a custom decal maker or print your own.

Hi John, Thanks,  i may have to .

If you can't find what you're looking for, I would search among the following, in no particular order:

1. Highball Graphics

2. Microscale Industries

3. Tichy Train Group

4. Protocraft

5. Dave's Decals

6. Cedarleaf Custom

printing your own decals on a laserjet isn't a big deal-

Melvin P posted:

Hi gang:  I am having a heck of a time finding O gauge Erie railroad locomotive decals, both steam and diesel.  Any suggestions. 

Melvin

I assume that you have tried eBay - lots of decals there. I have found it to be a good source; seldom (ever?) have had trouble with any because of age - and most of them are not "old", anyway.

I seem to see Erie as often as I see anything else, though I do not look for that road.

I just find what I want as a picture on the net, then scale them in Word.  I then print them using my ink-jet onto clear or white decal paper, depending on my application.  The results are always great:

Richie C. posted:

If you can't find what you're looking for, I would search among the following, in no particular order:

1. Highball Graphics

2. Microscale Industries

3. Tichy Train Group

4. Protocraft

5. Dave's Decals

6. Cedarleaf Custom

Tried all of the above and no luck.  Thank you for your suggestion.

D500 posted:

Melvin P posted:

Hi gang:  I am having a heck of a time finding O gauge Erie railroad locomotive decals, both steam and diesel.  Any suggestions. 

Melvin

I assume that you have tried eBay - lots of decals there. I have found it to be a good source; seldom (ever?) have had trouble with any because of age - and most of them are not "old", anyway.

I seem to see Erie as often as I see anything else, though I do not look for that road.

Have been looking on the bay, can find HO, lots of E-L.  But thank you

Melvin

Melvin-
Do a you tube search on printing your own decals. I think you will be happy with the results. It's not complex. I mean, if I can do it.....

C&O Allie posted:

I just find what I want as a picture on the net, then scale them in Word.  I then print them using my ink-jet onto clear or white decal paper, depending on my application.  The results are always great:

Your models look great.  I am going to have to print them out.  I do have a question, how do you scale them in word?  

rogerpete posted:

printing your own decals on a laserjet isn't a big deal-

That is what I am going to do.  I can find the logos on the internet no shortage.  Thanks

Melvin P posted:

C&O Allie posted:

I just find what I want as a picture on the net, then scale them in Word.  I then print them using my ink-jet onto clear or white decal paper, depending on my application.  The results are always great:

Your models look great.  I am going to have to print them out.  I do have a question, how do you scale them in word?  

Melvin,

What I do is find an image on the internet (usually in jpeg format) and download it.  Then I go into word and insert the image I downloaded.  Then to scale it, you just click it and drag the corner bigger or smaller to fit your needs.  I always print out the word document on regular paper first with various sizes at the same time to find the one that fits.

What I found is that if the engine color is dark, use White Decal Paper with the background of the image matching the engine color.  If the engine is light, use Clear Decal Paper.

Here is another example of a decal job I did:

You can do a search on the web for making water slide decals, there are some good videos from model car, airplane and HO modelers on making these decals.

Just make sure after printing you put 2-3 coats of clear coat on the decals.  Otherwise they will run when put in the water.  I use Testors Clear Coat spray.  

Erie is a tough one to find.  There are some passenger car decals available through the Erie Lackawanna historical society store but as far as diesel or steam, they are nearly impossible to find. Jack McGarry at Allegheny Scale Models has LOTS of older Champ decals so he may be a resource. P&D Hobby and Des Plaines Hobbies used to have the O scale Microscale F/E/FA/PA Unit diesel decals.  I purchased two sets about a year ago.  I just bought a set of Champ Erie steam decals on Ebay but they were $18.00.  That seems high in my opinion but I had them on my want list for over 2 years!

Lastly, you may be able to use certain HO scale decals for O scale.  I have used HO box car decals on locomotives as they seem to be just about right. There are LOTS of Erie decals available in HO but sadly, those of us in O scale have to scrounge, pray and hope our way through it. 

Best of luck!

Mike

C&O Allie posted:

Melvin P posted:

C&O Allie posted:

I just find what I want as a picture on the net, then scale them in Word.  I then print them using my ink-jet onto clear or white decal paper, depending on my application.  The results are always great:

Your models look great.  I am going to have to print them out.  I do have a question, how do you scale them in word?  

Melvin,

What I do is find an image on the internet (usually in jpeg format) and download it.  Then I go into word and insert the image I downloaded.  Then to scale it, you just click it and drag the corner bigger or smaller to fit your needs.  I always print out the word document on regular paper first with various sizes at the same time to find the one that fits.

What I found is that if the engine color is dark, use White Decal Paper with the background of the image matching the engine color.  If the engine is light, use Clear Decal Paper.

Here is another example of a decal job I did:

Thank you for the method.  You really do some great work.

Melvin

C&O Allie posted:

Just make sure after printing you put 2-3 coats of clear coat on the decals.  Otherwise they will run when put in the water.  I use Testors Clear Coat spray.  

Thanks.

Cadillac Mike posted:

Erie is a tough one to find.  There are some passenger car decals available through the Erie Lackawanna historical society store but as far as diesel or steam, they are nearly impossible to find. Jack McGarry at Allegheny Scale Models has LOTS of older Champ decals so he may be a resource. P&D Hobby and Des Plaines Hobbies used to have the O scale Microscale F/E/FA/PA Unit diesel decals.  I purchased two sets about a year ago.  I just bought a set of Champ Erie steam decals on Ebay but they were $18.00.  That seems high in my opinion but I had them on my want list for over 2 years!

Lastly, you may be able to use certain HO scale decals for O scale.  I have used HO box car decals on locomotives as they seem to be just about right. There are LOTS of Erie decals available in HO but sadly, those of us in O scale have to scrounge, pray and hope our way through it. 

Best of luck!

Mike

Mike, I have tried the sources you have stated .. Dry.  Now the idea of certain HO decals sounds interesting.  I am just going to print my our out.

Thanks, Melvin

Melvin,

Thanks.  I have fun doing my own designs.  Here are a few more non-prototypical ones:

Here is a link to a topic I posted about a train I made with my daughter:

The Sarah Express

Northern Central Supply http://www.northerncentralsupply.com/champdc.html

Contact for availability and price.

Champ Decals:

Melvin, there's a bunch on E-bay. Don

Larry Neal posted:

Northern Central Supply http://www.northerncentralsupply.com/champdc.html

Contact for availability and price.

Champ Decals:

2	BRO-52	ERIE STEAM LOCO YELLOW LETTERING does 3 diff models	x
5	E-2	ERIE STEAM LOCO YELLOW LETTERING	X
3	E-2	ERIE STEAM LOCO
7	E-51	ERIE DIESEL LOCO	X
7	E-104	ERIE DIESEL SWITCHER	X
	CN-125	ERIE CABOOSE	X

I have tried them and they appeared to be non-responsive.

scale rail posted:

Melvin, there's a bunch on E-bay. Don

Thank you.