1950's Era HO Industrial Switching Layout
All photos have included captions.
It's All In The Details
After more than a year of operating this DCC HO model locomotive on my 1950's Industrial switching layout, the locomotive wearing CP Rail colors from the 1980's, I decided it was time to repaint it bringing it more in line as a SW 1200 that could be found working in the yard of a short-line operation of the 1950's.
Once the paint was striped from the shell, and the new paint applied, it was time to start detailing the engine. In my photo, I show and explain to you how I went about applying decals to either side of the engine.
Now applying water transfer decals is not all that difficult as anyone that builds models knows. The trick is to make them look like they were painted on and not a stick on decal.
Once the decal has been soaked in water allowing the decal to slide off of the paper backing, you want to carefully place it where it will reside, and do this without damaging the very delicate decal.
With the decal now in place, and in the case of my choice of locations, the doors giving access to the engine room, I turned to a product called "SOLVASET" a decal setting solution.
Solvaset when applied makes decals snuggle down over uneven surfaces by softening the decal film and making it flow into crevices and around details like rivets, doors, and louvers. It also helps decals stick better and helps to eliminate bubbles.
The Solvaset is applied sparingly to the surface of the decal with the applicator brush seen in the insert photo. You do not want to blot the surface of the decal, but allow the solvaset to work its magic as it evaporates allowing the decal to flow in to all the nocks and cranny's.
As seen in the photo, the engine is back at work in the yard, however more detail work is required to be done that includes the engine numbers to be applied on either side of the cab. For the moment I'm operating the engine as is while I admire how it looks and fits the layout.
Just so you know, I have also applied some light weathering to the decal after it dried giving it a look of having been there for some time.
Expand the photo for a closer look......
