Does anyone know where I can find Sante Fe Warbonnet decals for an Alco FA (K-line)? I've only been able to find PA decals. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
-Nick
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Lou Palumbo make Lionel decals...maybe he could help?
Not that it stops some of us from doing certain things, but, to my knowledge, the Santa Fe had no Alco FA's, so finding decals for them in ATSF, in O scale, will be a steeper than usual mountain to climb. Heck, finding them for roads that did have FA's (or anything else) can be a struggle.
If you are determined, the PA decals could be employed (some cutting?) to use on your FA's. Extreme "accuracy" is not required as the real thing didn't exist.
Maybe decorate your FA's in a scheme that actually existed...? May I suggest the GM&O...L&N...NYC...?
Nick, are you doing a repaint or a restoration? In other words, will you need a precise sized decal, or something in the general neighborhood. I do a lot of repainting of 027 types of trains including Alco FA's and have found some of the larger heralds from Microscale HO decal sets to work just fine. In many cases, full O scale decals are too large for the older traditionally sized trains. But you'd probably want to see the actual set of decals to know what would possibly work for you.
I don't think K-Line used a decal on the nose of the Alco FA, but instead used tampo printing. But I'm not positive on that. Somewhere I have an old K-Line dealer parts list, and I don't recall ever seeing a Santa Fe nose decal listed, as you do on Lionel parts listings.
I do have a nose decal for a Lionel Alco FA, but whether it would work or not? The Lionel Santa Fe decal overall measures 3.5 inches wide at its' widest point and 7/8 inch high. The elongated oval with the Santa Fe words in it measures 1-7/8 wide and 5/8 inch high.
I may try the PA decals. I just bought a Santa Fe passenger set with an Alco FA and was thinking of repainting another alco I have to make an AA setup. Accuracy is not important, but would like it to look close. More than the nose decal, I think the Warbonnet stripe between the red and silver will be the challenge. OR... I may just pick up another alco shell or loco already decked out in SF warbonnet. Thanks for the replies!
-Nick
