re-numbering proto2000 locomotives

I have two Proto2000 GP-7 locomotives to re-number. What is the best (safest) way to remove the numbers on the sides of the locomotives and from the number boards? I need to re-number them so they will match the GP-7's used in the area where I model - The Great Northern in Minnesota. Thanks, George Maher

Reply to
George Maher
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Well, do you want the best, or safest? ;-)

I have done it several ways.

  1. Very carefully remove the numbers with a q-tip damp with alcohol. Do not soak it, as it will be too strong, and likley take the base coat off as well. It takes a long time, but you can probably get the numbers off without removing the paint beneath it.

  1. Use an xacto chisel blade, and carefully scrape off the numbers. Be sure to have the bevelled side of the blade against the surface for better control. This requires a very steady hand, but will allow you to remove the letters without removing the paint.

  2. Mix a small batch of paint to match the location of the numbers. Mask around the numbers, and sand them off with a fine sandpaper. Wet sand to smooth out the surface, and repaint the basecoat. (airbrush works best) Wet sand again to blend the edges, and apply the new lettering.

I have used 1 and 2 to good results, but not perfect. They work well if you only want to change 1 or 2 numbers. I have used 3 to chnage the entire number, and cannot tell which units are not factory numbers without looking them up.

Reply to
Douglas E. Menke

I don't know if it works on your locomotives, but on many freight car bodies, I've had success by taking a #1 X-acto knife with the "straight" blade (I forget the X-acto part number for it) and lightly "scraping" the numbers off. You just lay the edge of the straight blade flush with the carbody, and do not apply any more pressure than the #1 handle's own weight. Basically you just let it barely touch the lettering as you "wiggle" the knife.

There is very little evidence of anything ever touching the car. Occassionally you might get a minor scratch on the surface of the car, but it's where a new number will be anyway and will be covered up. I've never had problems with any of the old paint beneath the number coming off, only the silkscreened numbers themselves.

I renumbered a 50 car fleet of MDC 5-bay hoppers to match actual prototypes that I'd seen locally using this process, and they look very good. I've also used this technique on some Walthers and Athearn cars too.

Reply to
Slingblade

Reply to
John Zelinsky

Thanks for the info, I am just starting the same process on my GP 9 II. I tried using NeverDull, but it was not very successful, and neither was alcohol. I finally resorted to the Xacto balde, and in the right light at the right angle you can see the marks, but once the new numbers went over it, it looks fine. I am about to try the number boards, and was wondering what to do. Will try the solvent to lift the numbers, and use the black paint if needed. The hardest thing is going to be getting the B&O off of the side to replace it with my T&HL.

Reply to
omingmak

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