Lettering and Decals

I have some locos that I want to be decorated like the prototype. I have been buying everything that had a prototype in Santa Fe in my time period.

The first one I need done is a 44 Tonner, USAT has them in the blue and yellow, but not the black with zebra stripes.

Decals:

https://www.modeldecaldepot.ca/

https://k4decals.com/

Stan Cederleaf is sadly no longer with us... for people reading old forum posts

hawmutt - http://www.shawmutcarshops.com/ - less expensive, but you might have to do more of the design work yourself.

Modern Rails: http://modernrails.com

Vinyl letters:

Del Tappero - G Scale Graphics - many reports of satisfied customers, also great inexpensive R/C systems and more.

Dry Transfers:

http://www.pulsarprofx.com/decalpro/Vertical/1_MENU/1b_Overview/Overview.html

Which to use?

• Decals are thinner and have a clear carrier, so small numbers and letters can be made. They are more fragile and take more work to apply.
• Vinyl letters are tougher and thicker. Some people complain about not being able to get the vinyl to apply closely to rivets, but Dell tells me that a little heat from a heat gun or hair dryer works wonders. Also, a tip from Jerry Hansen, use a pin to poke holes to allow trapped air bubbles to release. You cannot make really small letters, like rolling stock data.