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Post by rockymountaineer on Mar 27, 2024 3:38:55 GMT
Definitely still want a set. How do I get payment and shipping info to you?
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 1, 2024 23:15:45 GMT
Folks, the order for nameplates has been made. I ordered a few extra sets as well, and I hope to have these at York on Thursday afternoon... or I will contact you for your shipping address. So please stay tuned!!!
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 20, 2024 1:53:35 GMT
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Post by f3collector on Apr 20, 2024 4:18:58 GMT
Hats off for your efforts... But I think the nameplate is more noticeable than the misspelling because of the different color and font vs. the original below.  |
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Post by Craignor on Apr 20, 2024 23:52:36 GMT
Dave,
Great job!
Looks real good.
Shame on Lionel for not standing behind their product.
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Post by dennym57 on Apr 22, 2024 1:04:32 GMT
Looks great! As for Lionel pifff....
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Post by david1 on Apr 23, 2024 1:12:48 GMT
Nice job David, the name plate looks great. For me it really stands out even though it does not match color and few other things. For Lionel not to have a fix for that mistake is a disgrace.
Dave
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Post by Traindiesel! on Apr 23, 2024 3:28:34 GMT
Hats off for your efforts... But I think the nameplate is more noticeable than the misspelling because of the different color and font vs. the original below.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 23, 2024 6:51:11 GMT
Hats off for your efforts... But I think the nameplate is more noticeable than the misspelling because of the different color and font vs. the original below. Thank you for your candid comments... and yes, the mismatch of color did not go unnoticed by yours truly. I posted these photos the same day I received the nameplate straight from the vendor to illustrate how it would look for those who had expressed interest. I don't recall you being one of those on my reservation list. But I certainly appreciate your observation(s) nonetheless.
For those who did express interest in a fix... let me tell you where things stand:
I called the vendor last Friday, when I realized the background color of the nameplate was significantly different from the graphics file I sent them. That was pretty obvious. And the representative told me they'd need to get one of their techs involved on Monday. Printing on metal surfaces comes with its own set of inherent challenges. And you might also notice that the graphics file I sent the vendor (see my original post) has WHITE TEXT with a red border, whereas the first set of nameplates I received has silver text -- which by the way happens to be the color of the unpainted metallic nameplate.
Bottom line... I was told today (Monday) the vendor will be attempting to provide new nameplates with WHITE text and a background that matches the passenger car's green body to a much closer degree. The priority is clearly the latter. But if they do both, that's even better! So please stay tuned, as I will keep everyone posted as soon as I know.
Whether the vendor will match the passenger car body color EXACTLY remains to be seen. But I'm giving them a chance to get darn close, if not spot on by using the colors in the graphic file I sent them. So I'm curious to see what they can do. The text font will not change. I used the closest font in my font library to the one Lionel's factory used.
I suspect when all is said and done, we'll have the option to [1] go with the plate as originally provided (i.e., in the photographs already posted), or [2] go with a plate that might possibly be a much better "color match".
In either case... I knew going into this process that there was a possibility that this solution might have the appearance of an "overstamp" which we see from time to time, when railroads purchase equipment from former owners (i.e., think Conrail or UP rolling stock). Or when decorative updates are applied over existing paint that has weathered over time. But I assure you... either option [1] or [2] will be a first-class solution that I'd be proud to offer for $15. If you so choose to keep the flawed car as delivered by Lionel with the YUELTIDE misspelling, that's perfectly fine too. And if that's what you prefer, then you can rest assured knowing that Lionel is laughing all the way to the bank... since they're already well on their way to focusing on goodies in their 2024 catalog (and beyond).
The choice will ultimately be YOURS... as it should be.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 23, 2024 6:55:47 GMT
... Has RockyMountaineer responded to these issues? ...
Brian, please see my post above. 
Whichever route folks decide is best for them, this will always be a fun point of conversation for visitors to our layouts at Chrismastime!!! Ain't life grand??? 
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Post by Traindiesel! on Apr 23, 2024 10:25:23 GMT
... Has RockyMountaineer responded to these issues? ...
Brian, please see my post above.
Whichever route folks decide is best for them, this will always be a fun point of conversation for visitors to our layouts at Chrismastime!!! Ain't life grand???
David, you are the Scott Mann of Yuletide! 
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 26, 2024 2:48:07 GMT
Hi Folks,
As promised, this is the latest update:
I corresponded with the nameplate vendor today, and they informed me that the gamut of their printer is unable to match the deep emerald green on the passenger car body. They offered me several shades of green. But trust me when I say you would not be happy with them, since the shades of green were nowhere near a match.
Meanwhile, the original nameplates they first sent me appear more like a brass nameplate with the correctly spelled YULETIDE name... which IMHO is a very classy look. And it's something you would conceivably see done in real railroading. I will be applying these nameplates to both sides of my "YULETIDE coach", and I couldn't be more happy with having a correctly spelled car name that looks this classy to boot. A win-win situation all around.
So I will be reaching out to interested parties. And if you like the nameplate as illustrated in my post of April 19th, then we'll move forward with getting them in your hands ASAP.
Thanks again, everyone.
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 26, 2024 3:15:16 GMT
David, is it reasonable cost wise to make name plates for each car in this set so they all look the same?
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Post by rockymountaineer on Apr 26, 2024 3:24:46 GMT
David, is it reasonable cost wise to make name plates for each car in this set so they all look the same?
The cost per plate drops dramatically as the production numbers increase. But I like your thinking. Had the numbers worked out more favorably, I was gonna purchase another set of Lionel's Sleighbell Limited 2-pack... and create nameplates with different car names. The train would be quite unique, but not very cost-effective. 
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Post by seayakbill on Apr 26, 2024 9:40:16 GMT
I have been following your posting as I have interest in doing the same. I have a set of the TCA aluminum passenger cars that I have had an idea for a couple years now of getting some brass nameplates made up to cover the TCA script with SP&S Railway. Bill www.youtube.com/user/seayakbill |
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