The Eagle has landed...

[railtec-models]

>The other UK decal maker to consider is Railtec.

>Cheers,

>Mick

 

If you are able to provide artwork in vector format (so something like an AI, SVG or EPS file) then it should be a simple job. Where it can quickly start to get sticky is when only JPG photos are supplied, I have to design the artwork manually and in many cases also be asked to do the research, measuring etc.

 

What sets Railtec apart

• Railtec product is spot printed, so has no superfluous unsightly carrier film and therefore you don't need to cut as close as possible to the print to minimise any film that would otherwise be showing. This also minimises model preparation time.
• It's compatible with enamels as well as acrylics.
• It withstands regular handling and the print does not scratch with a wayward fingernail.
• It has no feint join lines in the print.
• It has perfect print registration (so separate colour layers do not have slight mis-alignment).
• It arrives in hard-backed packaging to protect the contents.
• With custom jobs, spares of everything are included as standard.
• There is no minimum order quantity. Equally if 1000 copies of something are required then that's also no problem.

It's because of the above that Railtec product gets used in the preparation of prototype models for the Bachmann catalog each year, presentation gifts for events, TOC boardroom models etc. There are also numerous completed examples that customers have kindly socialised on the Railtec thread here on RMWeb.

 

I also understand based on several years' feedback that the Railtec custom prices are the lowest anywhere. (Custom jobs start at just £1.30).

 

 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2018 by railtec-models

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Steve, I can provide vector files for you - do you have specific instructions I should follow regarding type size, page format etc?

 

I am looking to match the Railroad Roman typeface on the Microscale sheets I have already used, and I have designs for diesels, caboose, hoppers and boxcars.

 

Thanks in advance.

[railtec-models]

Steve, I can provide vector files for you - do you have specific instructions I should follow regarding type size, page format etc?

 

I am looking to match the Railroad Roman typeface on the Microscale sheets I have already used, and I have designs for diesels, caboose, hoppers and boxcars.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I will PM you. For the sake of completeness and info for the wider community, vector artwork supplied in CMYK, fonts either outlined text or left as-is and relevant ttf or otf file(s) provided for any uncommon typefaces normally does the job.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Today's activity in the shed...

 

 

a bit of painting, the Walthers Depot arrived from Germany

 

and a little bit of playing to try out my new amp.  The first proper amp I've owned since I bought my bass 35 years ago!

 

 

I also had a go at designing some decals with Adobe Illustrator, which I've not used before.

 

Edited August 2, 2018 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters

[Regularity]

Westone Thunder IIa?

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

It's a 1a.  I was looking at a fretless 1a yesterday...   

[Regularity]

Go for the Three (all threes are active). The through neck makes them a joy to play and behold, and the workmanship (make sure it’s a Matsumoto) makes them as playable as something twice the price.

 

I had a six-string T3 back in 84 (one of the last two imported into this country) and very stupidly sold it in 87.

[F-UnitMad]

Now see here, young Dr G-F, you appear to be having far too much fun recently

I mean, finding a huge modelling mojo boost with the aid of steam locomotives and slightly curving tracks is one thing, but all this interesting & useful info about custom decals, & then playing a bass guitar too!! steady on there, some of us will have to increase our medication to follow this thread safely!!

[Regularity]

Speaking personally, I am on the right level of medication and feel quite relaxed about things...

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

26C this afternoon so hid in the shed for a bit...

 

Now the passengers have some where to wait until the company buys a passenger coach... or not.

 

 

 

[F-UnitMad]

Get a 'Drover's Caboose' & your passengers can ride the freight trains (although I'm not sure if such a caboose made the train 'mixed').

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

On the Tucson Cornelia and Gila Bend, folk rode in an ordinary caboose... right up until the line closed in the 80s!

[Zomboid]

The joy of a short line is that more than a single combine in a mixed train could be considered excessive. Though they did run some very bizarre contraptions on some lines, if scratch building improbable machines is your thing then pretty much anything goes...

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Entirely by coincidence, a late night visit to the Bay of E resulted in the purchase of a second hand ex-Norfolk and Western 12 wheel combine.

 

 

The always frugal management were pleased by the knock down price.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Meanwhile, the next project has arrived on the work bench...

Edited August 6, 2018 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters

[Northroader]

It says HO on the box?

[F-UnitMad]

It says HO on the box?

That's good. It should fit in with the rest of Dr G-F's stuff in that case.

 

For my own Senior Moment, I thought 85 Bucks was a lot for a kit, but it looks like there's parts for 6 cars in it, which is rather a Bargain!!

Edited August 6, 2018 by F-UnitMad

[Zomboid]

I also did a double take at the $85, but I'm not yet 40 so not prepared to accept that as a senior moment...

 

Then I saw that it's for 6 of them and I began to wonder if I need 6 more boxcars.

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

I highly recommend the Tichy six packs as a decent price for a lot of modelling. Ask me again after I've fudged up drilling 76 tiny holes per car to fit the effing grabs...

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Madness

 

 

Edited August 7, 2018 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters

[roundhouse]

I have seen 3 CSX covered hoppers for $25 in the silent auction at the convention. If I get them for that price then thats a bargain, although do I really require three more

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

A small amount of progress today.  I'm a bit stuck at this stage, as I have no clue how to assemble the brake gear and the instructions are sparse to say the least, and an impenetrable line drawing is not helping.  I shall have to find some pictures on the web.

 

 

So far, the positives are the general fit and cleanliness of  the mouldings.  Less positive are the plethora of pointless fiddly bits particularly on the underframe.  Individual ribs for example?  For the love of God, why?  As mentioned before, the instructions are wordy but sparsely illustrated.  I'd prefer a bunch of good quality assembly photos to paragraphs of text any day, but I suppose you get what you pay for.

 

I may complete this one as far as possible, but on the subsequent five leave off all the under gubbins.  

 

7/10

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Passengers should be happy at least.

 

 

Not much work to do to this, just decals to change ownership.  

 

Haven't got the energy to tackle the boxcar kit at the moment.  

[long island jack]

A small amount of progress today.  I'm a bit stuck at this stage, as I have no clue how to assemble the brake gear and the instructions are sparse to say the least, and an impenetrable line drawing is not helping.  I shall have to find some pictures on the web.

 

20180808_171356.jpg

 

So far, the positives are the general fit and cleanliness of  the mouldings.  Less positive are the plethora of pointless fiddly bits particularly on the underframe.  Individual ribs for example?  For the love of God, why?  As mentioned before, the instructions are wordy but sparsely illustrated.  I'd prefer a bunch of good quality assembly photos to paragraphs of text any day, but I suppose you get what you pay for.

 

I may complete this one as far as possible, but on the subsequent five leave off all the under gubbins.  

 

7/10

there all there for when any rivet counters look under the car, at least you know you've got that  covered!!

[2996 Victor]

A small amount of progress today.  I'm a bit stuck at this stage, as I have no clue how to assemble the brake gear and the instructions are sparse to say the least, and an impenetrable line drawing is not helping.  I shall have to find some pictures on the web.

 

20180808_171356.jpg

 

So far, the positives are the general fit and cleanliness of  the mouldings.  Less positive are the plethora of pointless fiddly bits particularly on the underframe.  Individual ribs for example?  For the love of God, why?  As mentioned before, the instructions are wordy but sparsely illustrated.  I'd prefer a bunch of good quality assembly photos to paragraphs of text any day, but I suppose you get what you pay for.

 

I may complete this one as far as possible, but on the subsequent five leave off all the under gubbins.  

 

7/10

 

Doc,

 

I've tried a couple of different types of TTG car kits, and so far I'm really impressed with them. As you say, the mouldings are clean and sharp, and go together really well - a lot of UK manufacturers could learn from them!

 

Without doubt, the brake gear is fiddly to assemble, and as you say, the line drawing (at least on the AC&F 40' Flat Car) is difficult to follow. With a bit of care, it all comes together, though, and when done looks pretty impressive (if you have a derailment!). Persevere, and after the first one, it does get a bit easier!

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Edited August 10, 2018 by 2996 Victor