Decals for BR Coach Window Labels
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The earlier, steam era, label types. | |
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The later, blue era, label types. | |
Later blue era decals applied to 7mm Mk1 FK (method 2)
These decals are for the small labels applied to coach windows to identify special seating sections, such as first or second class, non-smoking and ladies only. Decals are available to cover the period from the early British Railways steam era through to the British Rail Blue era, and beyond. The later labels (blue square 1st and round no smoking) were introduced along with the new Rail Blue livery around 1965. However, the earlier labels appear to have persisted in use on many carriages until the end of BR at privatisation.
The label decal types available are shown on the right, complete with cutting guides. These decals can be supplied in a variety of scales, from 2mm to 16mm, and are available on either white-backed or transparent waterslide decal paper; the transparent versions have the decals reversed (left-right) for application to the inside of the windows, to appear the correct way round when viewed from outside. They can be applied in three different ways:
- The white-backed decals can be simply applied to the outside of the windows. Although this is the simplest method, the decals will need to be carefully cut to shape, removing as much as of the black border as possible.
- The transparent decals are applied to the inside of the windows, then painted on the reverse with white paint to fill in the white areas (my printer does not have white ink). The black decal border should be retained to define the edge of the label and allow for imprecise application of the paint. The cutting guides are positioned to give a small transparent border around the label. The decals should be allowed to dry thoroughly (eg. at least overnight) before applying the paint, especially if using water-based paint.
- The transparent decals are applied to the inside of the windows, then white-backed decals applied on top. The label will then then be correctly visible from the inside of the coach as well as the outside. The black border should be retained in full on the transparent decals, but reduced on the white-backed ones, to define the edge of the label as visible from the outside, while allowing for some imprecision in applying the white-backed ones. The transparent decals should be allowed to dry thoroughly (eg. at least overnight) before applying the white-backed ones, to minimise the risk of the transparent ones lifting during appliction of the white-backed ones.
Methods 2 and 3 will be much easier if the glazing can be installed to accurate positions, as it will then be possible to apply the decals before the glazing is installed, giving much easier access to the inside face. In this case, use of paper templates, marked with the outlines of the glazing material and window aperture, together with the positions of the labels, will help with applying the decals in the correct positions.
To order a set of decals you will be able to select any combination of label types you wish to fill a sheet. The number of label decals that can be fitted on a sheet depends on the scale as follows:
| Scale | No. of Labels |
|---|---|
| 16mm | 108 |
| 1:22.5 | 133 |
| 10mm | 110 |
| 1:32 | 120 |
| 7mm | 120 |
| 1:64 | 132 |
| 4mm | 132 |
| 3.5mm | 144 |
| 3mm | 156 |
| 1:120 | 156 |
| 2mm | 168 |
You can also select combination decals, with a class label above a no smoking label, each of your choice, as a single decal. Note this only works for transparent-backed decals; with a white backing the labels would have to be cut out and applied individually anyway. If you order combination decals as part of a set with both transparent- and white-backed versions, only the transparent-backed ones will be combined and corresponding white-backed versions will be supplied as separate decals. Combination decals count as 2 labels when assessing how many can fit on a sheet.
Configure your Sheet
To order a sheet of decals for BR window labels you will need to select one or more label types, add them to your sheet, and set the quantity you require of each. Once you've completed your sheet of decals, you can then add the sheet to your basket.
Select Labels
To add a label to your sheet as a separate, single decal, click on the Add button next to its illustration.
To add a pair of labels to your sheet as a combined decal, use the buttons in the "Add As Combined" column to select the combination you want, then click on the Add Combined button. You can combine a class label with a no smoking label.
The quantity of a decal you add to your sheet will initially be set to 20. This should be enough for a single carriage plus a few spares. For example, Mk1 corridor coaches typically had 7 windows per side that could require labels, while open coaches had 8 and suburban coaches up to 9. If you add a decal to your sheet that's already there, it's quantity will be increased by this amount.
Once you've added a decal to your sheet, you can adjust the quantity of it you require using the buttons below.