Large Scale Central

No "blue coal" Prototype, so make it up!

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

I had asked on a couple of forums (fora) about a prototype for a “blue coal” hopper as I had seen only models, and never a photo of a prototype. Couldn’t find one. I saw an ad for the Lackawanna Coal Company who claimed to get “blue coal” from their mine, so I picked DL&W.
I had an old Bachmann EBT hopper that someone had painted for CSX. So I sort of stripped it, painted automotive blue. Also painted the coal blue, just like they did.
The “blue coal” lettering I did in Word and printed on a color laser printer on white decal paper. The car numbers and ends were leftovers from a Lackawanna boxcar, and the DL&W were dry transfers I had left. The end DL&W, and “ANTHRACITE” were made on my Cricut machine. The dimensional data was O Scale decals. So you can see I used a little bit of everything I had laying around.
View the finished product at: http://s781.photobucket.com/albums/yy99/RRRR4/Models%20For%20Sale/

It was a lot of fun. Lou

#2

Nice.

Looks entirely plausible… :slight_smile:

Matthew (OV)

#3

Looks good Lou!

#4

Can’t see it Lou, Darned pop ups…some not safe for work either. Sheesh.

Chas

#5
W. Chas. Ronolder IV said:
Can't see it Lou, Darned pop ups...some not safe for work either. Sheesh.

Chas


Get firefox browser with Adblock add-on.
Or else you.ve got something in your machine.
Or, are the ads using cookies to tailor themselves to your interests? :wink:

#6

Work computer…No firefox allowed. My interests at work are strictly monitored. Yahoo, Facebook, and a few Large scale trains sites are on the allowable list. Photobucket comes up but the ads on the sides slide over top of the photos you’ve posted and then the music starts blaring. No thanks. “Free” for you has a price for me. I’m currently listening to a playlist on Youtube so that must be allowable too? Hmmm?

Chas

#7

try this:

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/andyc/Misc%20Pictures/th_Finalbluecoal1.jpg)

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/andyc/Misc%20Pictures/th_Finalbluecoal2.jpg)

#8

I have the same blockage at work.
Thanks, Andy for posting those pix.
Lou

#9

I’m curious about the Cricut machine, I researched these a while back and it seemed at the time that font’s were limited and you could only us proprietary fonts from them. Most of the available fonts were goofy looking stuff for scrap booking. If they would allow importation of fonts or graphic files I could see a bunch of uses for these in a variety of hobbies outside of scrap booking.

#10
Gary Buchanan said:
I'm curious about the Cricut machine, I researched these a while back and it seemed at the time that font's were limited and you could only us proprietary fonts from them. Most of the available fonts were goofy looking stuff for scrap booking. If they would allow importation of fonts or graphic files I could see a bunch of uses for these in a variety of hobbies outside of scrap booking.
Mike O Malley has been using the Cricut machine. If I remember correctly, he found a source of fonts. Ralph
#11

Andy thanks! Lou, those are really neat! A modernized billboard car of sorts. I like it!

Chas

#12
Gary Buchanan said:
I'm curious about the Cricut machine, I researched these a while back and it seemed at the time that font's were limited and you could only us proprietary fonts from them. Most of the available fonts were goofy looking stuff for scrap booking. If they would allow importation of fonts or graphic files I could see a bunch of uses for these in a variety of hobbies outside of scrap booking.
"New to Sure Cuts A Lot? It allows you to cut any TrueType font, any Dingbat (image) font, any popular image format, and any SVG image with your Cricut® cutting machine! You can create ANY image/logo/design or use an existing design and cut it on paper/vinyl/chipboard/wood veneer/magnet sheets/more. Sure Cuts A Lot doesn't use Cricut® cartridges so you will never have to buy another $80-$100 cartridge again. Have a company logo or sports team mascot you want to cut? Sure Cuts A Lot can do it!"

Nice looking car!

#13

There’s a new piece of software similar to Sure Cuts A Lot for the Cricut as well. I forget what it’s called, but I’ll ask Allison. (It’s on her Christmas list.) BTW, now is a great time to look for deals on the Cricut machine. For most of what we do in this scale, we can get away with the small one (the Cricut “Create”). All the stores tend to have great sales on them after Thanksgiving. Without looking at the sales fliers, I think around $100 for the Create would be probable, maybe $150.

Later,

K

#14

Will these “Cricut” machines cut the thin vinyl ?

I don’t “see” mention of material used for the lettering on this unique blue coal unit or others.

thanks,
doug

#15
Kevin Strong said:
There's a new piece of software similar to Sure Cuts A Lot for the Cricut as well. I forget what it's called, but I'll ask Allison. (It's on her Christmas list.) BTW, now is a great time to look for deals on the Cricut machine. For most of what we do in this scale, we can get away with the small one (the Cricut "Create"). All the stores tend to have great sales on them after Thanksgiving. Without looking at the sales fliers, I think around $100 for the Create would be probable, maybe $150.

Later,

K


I saw in a JoAnn Fabrics flyer today that they sell several types of them.

#16

Yes, it will cut thin vinyl, styrene, even thin metal (on the order of aluminum cans, etc.) It’s a pretty cool machine. Lots of stuff on the web about what it can do.

Later,

K

#17

Wait, it’ll cut thin aluminum and styrene? I see stencils! This thing is getting more attractive all the time.

#18

Yep, I see 'em, too. Hence why the SCAL software (or the new equivalent) is on both Allison’s and my Christmas list. Lots of potential. Now, to find the time to play…

Later,

K

#19

I bought the Cricut Personal for $99 at AC Moore. They also sell the sticky vinyl in black, white, chocolate, and one other color, I think blue. I only buy white. They have a 40% coupon off every week, so if my wife doesn’t use it, I get a roll of sticky vinyl. I used it for the word “ANTHRACITE”. I have been very happy with my letters. 3/8" will give you about 1/4" size, but you can’t go that small in RR Roman, parts are too thin.
I also bought “Sure Cuts a Lot2”, they send it as a download with an activation key after you pay. Then through the magic of a USB cable, you can hookup the Cricut to your PC. I think the RR Roman font cost me $25, but you can use any of your PC fonts.
CAUTION: If you use it on harder materials, you will dull the cutters, which are replaceable, I think 2fer$14.
Now I’m looking to see if I can find sticky thin vinyl in gold!
Lou
Gotta go eat some more turkey now!
Had to edit twice 'cause I can’t type.