Railroad font identification help

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

amadlinger
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:18 pm
Location: Central NJ

Railroad font identification help

Post by amadlinger »

Hi all,

I am trying to identify the font in the images below (taken from O-scale decals) in order to have lettering made up for an 1.5" scale Pacific. The decals were made at least 40 years ago, by Sam Cicchini of NJLS. Can anyone out there help me identify the font used? I know this much: it's definitely not a standard computer font...

I have already searched the MyFont.com site, which has a handy tool to try to identify a font given an image, to no avail (it suggested Clarendon, a close relative of this font but not quite the same).

Any and all additional information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,
Adam
L&W Text.jpeg
L&W Numbers.jpeg
amadlinger
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:18 pm
Location: Central NJ

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by amadlinger »

Ahh! An additional trinket of information has just come in. The original envelope that these decals came in, post-marked January 23rd, 1947 (yes, 1947) indicates that they are from:

Keith Labar
1278 N. Harvard Blvd.
Hollywood Calif.

Does this ring a bell with any of you California folks?

Sincerely,
Adam
FLtenwheeler
Posts: 1594
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 8:47 am
Location: Florida, on the Lake Wales Ridge

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by FLtenwheeler »

Hi

Try RailFonts. http://www.railfonts.com/

Tim
He who dies with the most unfinished projects: Should of put more time into their hobby.
User avatar
John_S
Posts: 709
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 8:21 pm
Location: Cumming, GA

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by John_S »

Have you tried http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/ ?

Upload an image and it tries to match the font to a known, existing one. The problem with most RR fonts is that they just don't exist in computer form.
ccvstmr
Posts: 2230
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 10:37 am
Location: New Lenox, IL

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by ccvstmr »

Most, if not all, railroad fonts were proprietary property. As such, you won't find many of those type faces on word processing programs like M/S Word or Corel Word Perfect. Time Roman is a close substitute to Rail Roman...but the fine serifs sometimes don't transfer well in vinyl. Still, there are other ways to get around this dilemma.

You can take your original artwork to a sign shop that deals in adhesive backed vinyl. They can scan the artwork into their computer and adjust the size to your dimensions (ask for a "proof" before they cut the vinyl). I did this with a Nickle Plate font. Had it scanned in off a G gauge 2 bay hopper. You may also be limited or color choices to what they have in stock if you're looking for something unusual.

Another option, contact Connie Miracle at Miracle Graphics. She appears to have a rather extensive library of railroad graphics. Perhaps she can match something up for you. You may have the same issue with the vinyl color again.

Hope that helps. Carl B.
Attachments
hopper1.jpg
Life is like a sewer...what you get out of it depends on what you put into it!
I don't walk on water...I just learned where some of the stepping stones are!
I love mankind...it's some of the people I can't stand!
tburzio
Posts: 656
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:35 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by tburzio »

I am trying to identify the font
If you want, I can trace the font and send back a corel draw file for you to get stencils cut, or I can laser cut the letters on sticky paper so you can air brush spray thru the paper. Works great, that's how we did my tender!
User avatar
Harlock
Posts: 3833
Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:19 am
Contact:

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by Harlock »

I second the suggestion for railfonts. they have MANY variations of railroad roman from various railroads. That one looks more bolded than the standard railroad roman. They may even have that specific road's font.

I've been very happy with their stuff.

-M
Live Steam Photography and more - gallery.mikemassee.com
Product Development and E-Commerce, Allen Models of Nevada
tburzio
Posts: 656
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:35 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by tburzio »

Three. Traced from the bitmap, only took a minute...

Need a key chain to go with your loco? :mrgreen:

Image
amadlinger
Posts: 174
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:18 pm
Location: Central NJ

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by amadlinger »

Wow, guys...thank you!

Yes, I had tried the myfont.com "What the font" site as well as the railfonts.com site, both of which have some excellent choices, but none exactly there.

tburzio, if you wouldn't mind, I would be absolutely thrilled if you could trace those letters and send over the Corel Draw file!

Sincerely,
Adam
User avatar
LVRR2095
Posts: 1688
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:50 pm
Location: Maine, USA

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by LVRR2095 »

The PRR used Claw Clarendon.
You won't find that very many places....
User avatar
PRR5406
Posts: 873
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:12 pm
Location: Eastern Maine

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by PRR5406 »

Keith, you bet! And what's odd is, everybody wants the Pennsy font!
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
tburzio
Posts: 656
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:35 pm
Location: San Diego

Re: Railroad font identification help

Post by tburzio »

amadlinger wrote: tburzio, trace those letters and send over the Corel Draw file!
Teeny tiny image:

Image

Corel Draw:

http://www.burnhamshops.com/steamer/lw.cdr

PDF if you just want to print or don't have Corel Draw:

http://www.burnhamshops.com/steamer/lw.pdf

Have fun!
Post Reply