Custom Decals of the Meridian Speedway
Perhaps more important to the final image of a Proto-Freelanced model than the many hours of super-detailing is the final paint job. Just as we discussed on the Horn Study page that the horn is the "voice" of your locomotives, the paint scheme of your locomotives is the face of your railroad. No other element will receive as much scrutiny or be the center of attention as your locomotives appearance. The image of your rolling stock (freight and passenger cars) is just as important.
This being the case, DO NOT SKIMP on the time and detail you dedicate to your paint scheme. Even a great paint job can be a wasted effort if adorned poor lettering, logos, and/or striping. This can turn off your audience in a hurry.
The Proto-Freelanced railroads of the Meridian Speedway are no exception. Much thought, research, and investment went into decal design and production. Having not yet made the leap into home decal production, I have outsourced the final artwork and printing to Ron Robert's Rail Graphics Custom Decals. I have been quite pleased with the results.
Although I have developed rather complex decal sheets that afford me the variety and flexibility I desire, Rail Graphics Custom Decals does offer smaller, simpler, and more affordable custom decal options.
This page will outline the highlights of individual custom decal runs.
This being the case, DO NOT SKIMP on the time and detail you dedicate to your paint scheme. Even a great paint job can be a wasted effort if adorned poor lettering, logos, and/or striping. This can turn off your audience in a hurry.
The Proto-Freelanced railroads of the Meridian Speedway are no exception. Much thought, research, and investment went into decal design and production. Having not yet made the leap into home decal production, I have outsourced the final artwork and printing to Ron Robert's Rail Graphics Custom Decals. I have been quite pleased with the results.
Although I have developed rather complex decal sheets that afford me the variety and flexibility I desire, Rail Graphics Custom Decals does offer smaller, simpler, and more affordable custom decal options.
This page will outline the highlights of individual custom decal runs.
Rail Graphics Set 5315-1 - T&GN/NT&O Locomotive White
This is the first decal set made for the Meridian Speedway. Set 5315-1 contains all of the white artwork and was made concurrently with the next set, No. 5315-2 which contains the yellow and black decal artwork.
The elements of this decal set include:
- Thin Frame Stripes
- Thick Stripe for the Long Hood to host road name
- Thick Four-Chevron Wrap Around for rear of locomotive and front of High-Hood Units
- Thin Four Chevron Wrap Around for front of locomotive - Low Nose and Safety Cab Units
- Two Pilot Chevron Decals
- Large Road Numbers for Long Hood - Font is Arial Bold Italics
- Maintenance Shop City Location - Font is Arial Bold
- Business Unit Assignment - Font is Arial Bold
- Locomotive Model - Font is Arial
- Small Road Numbers for locomotive Rear End if not equipped with Number Boards - Font is Arial Bold Italics
The elements of this decal set include:
- Thin Frame Stripes
- Thick Stripe for the Long Hood to host road name
- Thick Four-Chevron Wrap Around for rear of locomotive and front of High-Hood Units
- Thin Four Chevron Wrap Around for front of locomotive - Low Nose and Safety Cab Units
- Two Pilot Chevron Decals
- Large Road Numbers for Long Hood - Font is Arial Bold Italics
- Maintenance Shop City Location - Font is Arial Bold
- Business Unit Assignment - Font is Arial Bold
- Locomotive Model - Font is Arial
- Small Road Numbers for locomotive Rear End if not equipped with Number Boards - Font is Arial Bold Italics
Rail Graphics Set 5315-2 - T&GN/NT&O Locomotive Yellow and Black
This set was made concurrently with 5315-1 to complete the T&GN and NT&O locomotive scheme.
The elements of this decal set include:
- Eight NT&O logos - 4 Short and 4 Long for comparison on Models - The Short Decal is the one Used - Font is Arial Bold Italic
- Four T&GN Logos - Font is Arial Bold
- Four Yellow Square Decals with the phrase "HAS MOVEMENT STOPPED?" in Arial Black - for placement at end stairwells
- Four Black Triangles for Safety Logo
- Four Yellow Question Marks for Safety Logo
- Four Capital Letter "F"s - For Front of Locomotives - Font Arial Bold
- Two Full "TEXAS AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY" Decals for Locomotive Sides
- Two Full "NATCHEZ TRACE AND ORIENT RAILWAY" Decals for Locomotive Sides
Application note: The yellow decal is not as opaque as it appears on the decal sheet. Placement on T&GN Green paint significantly darkens the yellow color. To correct this cut a plain white decal to put directly under the yellow decal.
The elements of this decal set include:
- Eight NT&O logos - 4 Short and 4 Long for comparison on Models - The Short Decal is the one Used - Font is Arial Bold Italic
- Four T&GN Logos - Font is Arial Bold
- Four Yellow Square Decals with the phrase "HAS MOVEMENT STOPPED?" in Arial Black - for placement at end stairwells
- Four Black Triangles for Safety Logo
- Four Yellow Question Marks for Safety Logo
- Four Capital Letter "F"s - For Front of Locomotives - Font Arial Bold
- Two Full "TEXAS AND GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY" Decals for Locomotive Sides
- Two Full "NATCHEZ TRACE AND ORIENT RAILWAY" Decals for Locomotive Sides
Application note: The yellow decal is not as opaque as it appears on the decal sheet. Placement on T&GN Green paint significantly darkens the yellow color. To correct this cut a plain white decal to put directly under the yellow decal.
Rail Graphics Set 5315-3
T&GN/NT&O White Freight Car - Woodchip Hopper/Flat Set
Rail Graphics Set 5315-4 - Y&MV Locomotive Set - Red and White
Highball Graphics - Y&MV Thrall Door Boxcar Decals
YMV 2000-2044
This is the first set of decals done by Highball Graphics. Many thanks to Hank Stephens who diligently created the artwork based on Y&MV specifications! Each strip will complete one car.
