Best Of The TP56/TP70 Kitbash thread N scale

[u18b]

That method never crossed my mind .

That's the option I've decided to use.

[nickelplate759]

Yes, I think the TP70 (the black one) has a grey walkway.  I base this conclusion on two observations.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
First, note that the top of the box in the red circle is clearly black on top - and it's much darker than the walkway.
Second, note that the reflection of the walkway in that same black box, in the green circle, is clearly quite light, roughly matching the walkway.   If the walkway were actually black and the grey walkway was a reflection of the sky (like the top of the engine compartment) then the reflection of the walkway in the box would not be the same light color as the walkway appears.

[nkalanaga]

The "paint a piece of decal" idea is far from new.  I got it from magazines LONG ago, and some of them were older than me.  I think it's been around as long as modelers have used water-slide decals, but with the wide variety of specialty decals available today, it has fallen out of favor. 

One of the oldest uses was to make stripes, rather than masking pinstriping.  I've used it for the curved end stripes on GN Big Sky Blue diesels.  A lot easier than masking, especially on F units.

[u18b]

Yes, I think the TP70 (the black one) has a grey walkway.  I base this conclusion on two observations.
(Attachment Link)
First, note that the top of the box in the red circle is clearly black on top - and it's much darker than the walkway.
Second, note that the reflection of the walkway in that same black box, in the green circle, is clearly quite light, roughly matching the walkway.   If the walkway were actually black and the grey walkway was a reflection of the sky (like the top of the engine compartment) then the reflection of the walkway in the box would not be the same light color as the walkway appears.

George,

I was looking in the same area (and near those steps to the cab door.).

Good analysis- thanks.

[Lemosteam]

Since the box on the back of the cab is black, it will darken the reflection of the walkway.

I hate to say it, but that surface looks like the white (near reflective) anti-slip paint or applique.  It's too white to be gray unless it is gloss, which would be a safety issue?

[Lemosteam]

@u18b Not sure if you noticed this link on the tractive power page.  Not sure if there is conclusive evidence here or not...  One of the video's come so close to looking down...

http://www.tractivepowercorp.com/our_technology/photo_gallery/

This early design gem is also at the link above:

[u18b]

I appreciate everyone's input.
And the links.  Thanks.

I did confirm the cab color.  Looks like Random Tan I used was about spot on.




And here is a good shot of the nose light on the TP70.




I'm more confident on the walkway now.  I'm in agreement that it is not black.
But I think it is not quite white either- though it is light.

It would make sense to me that they might use the same color for the walkway.

So I'm going to go with a light gray.

[tehachapifan]

Light gray seems appropriate as UP uses or at least used a light gray anti-skid surface on many locos.

[u18b]

FINALLY found shots that are high.

Walkway is definitely light gray.


http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4665500

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4665502

By the way, these shots were taken in March of 2017 in Minneapolis MN at what may be a BNSF yard!

[nkalanaga]

One version of do-it-yourself non-skid walkway paint is simply white paint with sand.  It could be almost any very light color, depending on the color of the sand, but usually started out almost white.  With wear, the sand color showed through, and even with white sand, it would collect dirt and grime, turning gray.

I doubt that's what was used here, especially on a demonstrator, but wouldn't be surprised if commercial non-skid paint was basically the same stuff.

[jpwisc]

By the way, these shots were taken in March of 2017 in Minneapolis MN at what may be a BNSF yard!

That shot was taken of the no hump track from the 44th Ave bridge at BNSF's Northtown Yard (technically Fridley, MN). The engine was being moved by BNSF to Duluth, MN where I thought was interchanged with CP (IIRC), for transport to its current location.

[u18b]

Pete,

Measured the yellow safety stripes.

They are:

.114"  wide x  .03"  tall


The white F for front is aprox:
.022"  wide  x .034" tall

[peteski]

Thanks Ron.

[u18b]

The words for the pilots are:

MAXIMUM END PLATE HEIGHT.
YARD OR TRAIL ONLY

Unfortunately, the arial point size comes out to about 0.5 which is probably gibberish as far as a meaningful decal.

If the printer can't get anywhere near that, then I'll just find a gibberish from my decal collection.

[peteski]

The words for the pilots are:

MAXIMUM END PLATE HEIGHT.
YARD OR TRAIL ONLY

Unfortunately, the arial point size comes out to about 0.5 which is probably gibberish as far as a meaningful decal.

If the printer can't get anywhere near that, then I'll just find a gibberish from my decal collection.

I can print it. Just give me the width of the N scale model's pilot so I can try size the lettering properly.  I don't trust point sizes.