Like other operations, we would like to put temporary numbers and colors on our locomotives for special events. Is there a paint that can be put on for an event, and then easily removed? Or do we have to have magnets made up to cover the normal lettering? Any advice would be appreciated.
Also, would people like to know about re-numbering beforehand, or like to be surprised to see a long lost locomotive resurrected?

Latex paint will come off with a little elbow grease and water.

Later!
Mr. Ed

I think it all depends on who you're trying to attract, which part of the locomotive you're talking about, and how invisible or "seamless" you want the repaint to appear.

At EBT, Jim Gunning has used tempera paint and/or black gaffer tape to cover up white striping or brass boiler bands for a day. Tempera isn't suitable for large surfaces, though - it's not really black, more gray, and way too grainy to even be "flat," much less glossy. Restrict it to small areas.

Cabs under the window are probably best painted over completely, then lettered in vinyl for the duration of the event. Afterwards, peel off the vinyl and apply your "normal" lettering in paint. This is how Paul Harland dolls up 2-8-0 no. 40 for our trips.

Tender sides, if they are involved, are what will make or break your repaint. It is extremely difficult to make a tender look good with a partial paint job, or patch over existing lettering, or magnetic lettering. While I enjoyed the experience of seeing BC&G no. 4 in 1995 at Spencer, CRR 676 on the Santa Train in 1992, and Great Western 75 in 2001, the tender work is a bit jarring.

In 1986, we were relettering Mississippian 77. The loco had a gorgeous, hand-painted herald that the operator wanted to preserve. So we covered the logo with contact paper, then painted the entire tender side, then applied new lettering. The resulting seams couldn't be spotted in any of the photos. It was a bit tedious getting the paper off, but it was still better than hand-painting the logo again.

And if your event is open to the public, I would definitely announce it. You will get more attendees, and you'll be spared the "why didn't you come to my house, knock on my front door, tell me about it in person, and drive me to the event?" complaints.

JAC

I was recently at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and around the shop area are several magnetic sign material panels. The restoration supervisor explained that these were used to cover up the numbers, etc. of NSRM's locomotives used for a recent commerical filming. The museum does not allow repainting of its equipment.

These are the same kind of material people use to put signs on the side of truck cabs. The Museum painted the magnetic panels to match the colors painted of the cabs and tenders.

Glad you mentioned that Brian - I was going to mention that is what the Ohio Central did with the 6325 for photo charters. They had magnetic signs made up to cover the Ohio Central logo on the tender. They even had small plain black pieces made to cover the sections not covered by the GTW logo. We also applied black magnetic covers to the number on the sand dome as GT didn't have loco numbers onthe domes. Worked great and you can't tell in photos unless you're really up close.