Folks -

Here is a photo of C&O Kanawha #2716 illustrating the correct number fonts used by the C&O on their locomotives during the later steam era:

http://jreb.org/v-web/gallery/C-Osteam/2716front

The numbers we have in the boards on C&O 2-8-4 #2789 at our museum, are both incorrect. We are currently trying to cosmetically restore the front end of the Kanawha and have been trying to secure the correct fonts for both the numbers in the headlight boards and the numbers in the illuminated number boards on the top of the boiler. We would be very appreciative in anyone can furnish these correct fonts. Thanks!

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

Hi Les!

I don't have the diagrams for that lettering style, but the guys at Ft Wayne do; the lettering style is the same as 765's when she visited you guys in 2009.

Otherwise, the C&OHS should have everything you need to letter 2789. Have you found a good stencil cutter for the tender and cab lettering yet?

Maybe the C&O Historical Society can help? I was involved with the 614 getting her C&O identity back in 1996 and I believe that's where we got the drawings/stencils for the tender lettering and cab numbers. However, we did not do the number boards or headlight boards correctly. Maybe if you get the right stuff you can pass it along to the current 614 care takers! If 614 ever gets her C&O identity back, it would be nice to have the front end correct as well!