We are currently retoring the Santa Maria Valley #21 in Astoria, Or. One of the many projects we're working on right now is the tender. The oil tank has been cleaned out, the exterior blasted and primed and it is just about ready for final paint. There was/is (or what remains of it) a placard giving the volume of oil in gallons for every inch of depth of oil in the tank. It is 13" x 22" x 1/8" thick and located just right of center, about midway up the front of the tank. It is riveted to/thru the tank with 3/8 rivets in the 4 corners. The size and location corespond with the size/location given in the prints. We removed it due to the corrosion (metal cancer) that we've all seen between 2 close fitting, unprotected pieces of steel.
The question is; has anybody ever seen one of these that we could get the style & size of the lettering and the general layout. I have surmised that these were propably hand lettered. There are too many characters to be stenciled as they would be quite small and even though the original is in pretty sad shape, I can say with conviction, the weren't stamped. SMV #21 is a 1925 Balwin. Any info you folks can provide, will be greatly appreciated.
John

John:

I wish I could help you with your question but I can't.

I am just very glad to hear this project is still moving forward! I know the former website went dead a while back and I assumed (wrongly) that the restoration was over! I just live up the road and hope to come down and visit soon.

I'm sure there are folks here who can help you.

Scott

Scott,
We're still plugging along on the #21. The thing with the website was one of the weirdest things you have ever heard. When you come down to visit, I'll clue you in (takes more time & space than I can type here). It's back up now, although it hasn't been updated in a while. www.astoriarr.org. Weekends are always a good time to visit. As the weather and daylight are improving, we'll be working Tuesdays & Thusdays, after work as well. Look forward to seeing you.
John