09-29-2016, 10:37 PM
That's coming together very nicely, Glen. 
I've found that the easiest way to do the CNR number plates is en masse. Leave all of the plates on the fret, and airbrush them with red - pretty-well anybody's "caboose red" should be okay. Once the paint has dried, use a piece of fairly fine wet/dry sandpaper, wrapped around a small block of wood so that the sandpaper remains flat as you rub it over the number plates (the paper should be used dry, not wet). When all of the plates look satisfactory - paint removed from all raised lettering and numerals and from the raised borders - blow-off any dust and sanding residue, then airbrush the entire fret with Glosscote or any other suitable clear gloss.
You can cut-out the needed plate(s) using an X-Acto blade - I usually use an older one, and simply give it a few passes over a stone to improve the edge a bit. Working on a hard surface, carefully position the blade for each cut, then press down firmly, making sure to restrain the plate when you make the last cut. If necessary, use a file to touch-up any rough spots on the edges, then spray (or brush) some clear gloss onto the edges, especially where the cuts were made. This not only maintains a uniform glossy finish, but also prevents those areas from tarnishing over time.
When you need another number plate for the next locomotive, you'll have one almost ready-to-use. The finished ones are also useful if you have friends also modelling CNR, as you can swap, give, or sell the ones you don't need and perhaps get ones in return which you do need.
![[Image: CopyofBeegBoy126.jpg]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/doctorwayne/CNR%20BEEG%20BOY/CopyofBeegBoy126.jpg)
Wayne
cnrglen Wrote:.... I just hope I can get the red into the number plate to do it justice.....
I've found that the easiest way to do the CNR number plates is en masse. Leave all of the plates on the fret, and airbrush them with red - pretty-well anybody's "caboose red" should be okay. Once the paint has dried, use a piece of fairly fine wet/dry sandpaper, wrapped around a small block of wood so that the sandpaper remains flat as you rub it over the number plates (the paper should be used dry, not wet). When all of the plates look satisfactory - paint removed from all raised lettering and numerals and from the raised borders - blow-off any dust and sanding residue, then airbrush the entire fret with Glosscote or any other suitable clear gloss.
You can cut-out the needed plate(s) using an X-Acto blade - I usually use an older one, and simply give it a few passes over a stone to improve the edge a bit. Working on a hard surface, carefully position the blade for each cut, then press down firmly, making sure to restrain the plate when you make the last cut. If necessary, use a file to touch-up any rough spots on the edges, then spray (or brush) some clear gloss onto the edges, especially where the cuts were made. This not only maintains a uniform glossy finish, but also prevents those areas from tarnishing over time.
When you need another number plate for the next locomotive, you'll have one almost ready-to-use. The finished ones are also useful if you have friends also modelling CNR, as you can swap, give, or sell the ones you don't need and perhaps get ones in return which you do need.
Wayne