Decals for LMS Coach Window Labels
LMS Non-Smoking |
LMS Smoking |
LNWR Smoking |
L&YR Smoking |
MR Smokers |
FR Smoking |
These decals are for the small labels applied to coach windows by the LMS and its pre-grouping constituents to identify special seating sections, such as smoking or non-smoking. Decals are available to cover the period from the pre-grouping era through to nationalisation. These labels are all derived from period photos, plus a few of preserved carriages. For the period photos I have mostly only been able to find black and white photos, and I have also been unable to find any descriptive information. I'm reasonably certain of the colours of the LMS labels from the few colour period photos I have (all distant views), together with photos of preserved coaches (on the SVR). The LNWR labels appear to be larger versions of the LMS ones, so I've used the same colours. The remaining labels appear to be black and white or etched glass. I have also had to estimate the sizes of the labels (see below). If anyone has authoritative information for colours and sizes (and indeed periods of use), or additiional label types, please contact me and I'll correct my decals as necessary.
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.
From what I've been able to determine from photos, for the LMS period, the "Smoking" labels seem to have apeared first, perhaps from the mid-1920s – official photos of coaches from the early 20s don't show any labels. The "Non-Smoking" labels appeared a few years later, and certainly by the early 1930s. The use of both label types appears to have continued until nationalisation. The labels for the pre-grouping companies generally appear to have been used from the early 1900s until the grouping.
The MR "Smokers" labels appear to have been etched into the glass. The need for a white backing for my decals makes the translucency of the etching difficult to reproduce.
The FR labels appear to have been black lettering on a transparent backing, so will not need a white backing as decals.
The sizes of the labels (estimated from photos) are:
- LMS Non-Smoking labels, 12in. wide.
- LMS Smoking labels, 9in. wide.
- LNWR Smoking labels, 10in. wide.
- L&YR Smoking labels, 12in. wide.
- MR Smokers labels, 12in. wide.
- FR Smoking labels, 12in. wide.
Note that in the smaller scales the labels will therefore be tiny, making them tricky to handle and apply. The lettering is also unlikely to be legible, but should give the impression of being viewed from a distance.
The decals 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, so the white areas of the decal will be transparent, and colours other than black will be translucent). The black decal border should be retained to define the edge of the label and allow for imprecise application of the paint. You may find it easier to use a drawing pen rather than brush to appply the paint, but be careful not to scratch the decal with the nib – perhaps dab the paint on in spots that merge together rather than draw the pen across the decal. 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. Opaque white ink can also be used instead of 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 application 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 | 85 |
| 1:22.5 | 120 |
| 10mm | 88 |
| 1:32 | 99 |
| 7mm | 100 |
| 1:64 | 156 |
| 4mm | 156 |
| 3.5mm | 156 |
| 3mm | 156 |
| 1:120 | 156 |
| 2mm | 156 |
Note that, because of their larger height, the LMS "Non-Smoking" labels count as 2 when estimating how many decals can fit on a sheet.
Decals for 16mm and 22.5:1 scales will be supplied on A5 paper, the remainder on A6.
Configure your Sheet
To order a sheet of decals for LMS 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 decal, click on the Add button below its illustration.
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, corridor and open coaches typically had 8 windows per side that could require labels, while 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.