MP Steam locomotive lettering color

[Tony Cook]

I am currently working on an old mikado that I want to letter for the MP. I want to get as close as possible. I am modelling the mid 1950’s.

I checked Joe Collias’ book “MOPAC POWER” and he references that all modern MP steam had dull silver lettering. As I searched for decals online, I find sets offered in silver and white. Looking at the few available color photos, it’s hard to tell the color of the lettering. Some shots look very close to white, especially the number boards on the front of the engines.

Can someone advise if the color should be silver or white or if there a difference in color if the loco was in passenger service (silver) as opposed to freight service (white)

Thanks,

Mike Cafferata

[peggyrothschild]

MP steam lettering was a dull aluminum paint so silver would be the closest color

[John Hardcastle]

Since you all are discussing steam lettering. I have a couple questions also on this topic.

I just finished a 1300 and a 9700 steam locomotives and am in the decaling stage.
1. Where can I find the cooper rating for both locomotives?

[Bud Moss]

Cooper ratings for the various steam locomotive classes are listed on the old California Loco Works decal sheets (recently re-released by another company?), also in Joe Collias’ book MoPac Power. Jerry Michels

[peggyrothschild]

Jerry
I talked to Hubert Mask yesterday and they will start working on the new decals shortly. He hasn’t done steam locomotive decals before and was concerned about demand. I told Hubert I was getting at least two requests a month for MP steam decals. I also sent him the 1929 M-I lettering diagram so the new set will include the Missouri-Illinois which has never been done. With the M-I book pending release I can see a demand for M-I decals.

The original California Locomotive Works decals for the MP used a light gray to replicate the aluminum used by the MP.

[amosluettgen1665]

Charlie, that is great news to hear. And THANK YOU for sending him the M-I lettering. Please keep us posted and I will get an order in (O scale).

…gregg

[chastity_cumming]

The color is “brushed aluminum” I created fonts and made a decal set like CLW but with additional data. Oddballs set was a scan from the CLW set: mine is all vector art. I did not include it when I sold my line to Tichy and it’s available from me. Contact me at jerryglow at comcast.net

[Mike Vana]

The best explanation I heard was the official standard for the numerals and MISSOURI PACIFIC LINES lettering was “aluminum leaf” until the second world war intervened and it was impossible to obtain. This was actually thin aluminum sandwiched between layers of varnish. Ancillary lettering was stenciled “imitation aluminum” paint actually was a non-metallic light gray. Items like aluminum and brass were essential to the war effort and even the 2200 class engines originally had steel bell rather than brass.

What I’m unclear on is if they returned to the aluminum leaf after the war years or kept on using the paint. Maybe it was “aluminum leaf if you can find it and have a skilled person to apply it” and it could be Sedalia did its thing while Texas marched to the beat of a different drum.

[John Hardcastle]

I decald my last to steamers with Jerry Glow decals. I reached out to Mask Island after the post here that the MPHS was having him do steam decals. I asked him about doing them in S and that I would take five sets but never heard back. In the meantime Jerry Glow reach out to me about doing them and since I am still building steamers I ordered from him, his decals will be arriving soon. The older sets of his that I had from way back worked and looked great. I did mention to him that the cooper rating and classifications that go on both sides of the cab just under the windows only had enough to do one side on his old set. He fixed that on the new set and will do both sides of the cab.

Mike S

[peggyrothschild]

Mike
I told Hubert Mask not to produce the MP steam decals since Jerry already had a set available.

[John Hardcastle]

Thanks for letting me know.
Mask Island did produce the ART set for me in S. So I guess I am mentioning it for other S scale guys that might want some.
Mike S

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