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Well, the project is
nearing completion. Since the last update, I have added miscellaneous
exterior and interior lettering. I inspected several surviving cabs in
storage at NS' Norris Yard in Birmingham and reviewed hundreds of old SR
caboose photos, studying the correct font and character height. After
gathering the lettering data, I decided to have the miscellaneous exterior
lettering created on vinyl decals at a local graphic design shop. (See
previous updates for information on the large SOUTHERN and X201
lettering.) I located three font designs on various websites that are
almost identical to the original font created by the SR stencil machines.
I purchased the closest font in true text format from one of the font
websites. I will be happy to provide that information but decided against
sharing it here due to copyright issues. The graphic design folks were
able to print the correct text based on my measurements and original text
height measured from the ragged cabooses at Norris Yard.
The exterior decals
include the unique Safety Slogans over the steps and on the inside of the
doors. These slogans were repainted/changed frequently as X201 had three
different slogans partially visible in layers over the steps. I chose my
favorite of the three and went with it. I believe SR painted the same
slogan over the steps and on the doors, but I chose to use two different
slogans for variety's sake. I decided to have the interior safety slogan
made as a stencil with the correct font from a reputable stencil
manufacturer's website.
Other new exterior lettering includes the brake shoe specification and the
builder info, both in the correct size and font.
Interior stenciling includes various 1" stencils and ¾" stencils. I used
the 1" stencil machine at the Heart of Dixie Museum for the 1" stencils.
In keeping with my goal of being as authentic as possible, I had to locate
a ¾" stencil machine for the remaining interior stencils. I would like to
thank the Tennessee Valley RR Museum shops in Chattanooga for letting me
borrow their ¾" stencil machine for a couple of hours to complete the
lettering portion of the project.
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