Robert Dustin 1:32 AND 1:24 SCALE DECALS
Manufacturer: Robert Dustin, 334 Auburndale Avenue, Newton, MA 02166. Price: $7.50 and up depending on type of decal sheet, scale, quantity, and color.
WE LARGE SCALE modelers have had difficulty finding proper lettering and numbering for many prototype roadnames. Standard gauge modelers have had a particularly hard time. Well, engineers, Robert Dustin has come to your rescue. He painstakingly has researched dozens of prototype railroad graphics from various eras. His heralds, logos, data sheets, and road numbers reflect that research and all have a very realistic appearance. Dustin attributes much of the accuracy to "modelers out there who knew much more than I about a lot of things" and sent "photos and occasionally original mechanical department drawings".
His 22 page catalogue is a veritable "who's who" of recognizable railroad graphics. Most are from the golden age of steam and for standard gauge lines but an occasional modern logo creeps in and so does artwork for the narrow gauge D&RGW, C&S, RGS, and East Broad Top. If you fail to find what you want, Dustin can provide custom artwork for your favorite prototype or your own fictitious line.
Regarding the ubiquitous question of scale, Dustin writes, "The products in my catalog are 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch true scale. 'G' or '1 Gauge' are not scales. And while it is true that very few of us actually model in 1:32 or 1:24 exactly, I would not quibble over a few thousandths of an inch when describing 1:29 as 3/8-inch scale and 1:22.5 as 1/2-inch scale." In other reviews, we have explained that 1:24 scale decals actually fit most 1:22.5 scale rolling stock better than true 1:22.5 scale decals.
Dustin describes his materials as, "the same lacquer ink, warm water transfer decals that have been in use for more than a century. Because of the sizes in the larger scales they are made a bit thicker than those you may have used in the past. Because of the special nature of inks used, decals may be applied over rivets and scribed car sides."
Our samples were of good quality. The accuracy of the artwork appeared excellent. Occasionally a small letter or number displayed a tiny flaw, probably the result of a bubble in the ink, but you almost need a magnifying glass to find it. Overall the quality was better than some factory decorated models.
Robert Dustin also produces etched number and builder's plates; we'll look at those next time. For now, if you have wondered where to find graphics for your Nickel Plate Road Berkshire, your Burlington "Way of the Zephyrs" rolling stock, a Rock Island or Frisco gondola, a Pacific Fruit Express reefer, or a Santa Fe "map side" boxcar, contact Dustin. His decals are very good.-RR
