A&A lettering used on tenders

[BigIronHorse]

Does anyone happen to know the name of the font that the A&A used to use on its tenders way back in the day....it was almost like an old english text style. I know 18's old original tender had this font. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.
Jim

[Otto Vondrak]

Hi Jim-

It was not a commerical typeface that I am familiar with, it was just good old-fashioned hand lettering. The ancient art of sign painting. In other words, not a "font."

-otto-

[BigIronHorse]

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the help anyway.

[Otto Vondrak]

If you're looking to make decals, all you need is a good clear broadside photo of the tender to trace.

-otto-

[BigIronHorse]

Thats exactly what I'm doing. Dennis (one of the employees) gave me an old graphic someone made of 14 and I was going to duplicate it. I found an old picture of the tender here but its not the most clear. I asked the gentleman to match it but he didnt have the exact font. If you have a great picture of the tender I could use and can tell me how abouts I could have him trace it please tell me! I will attach a picture of the current proof of the decal and if you have any suggestions please feel free to comment.

Thanks,
Jim

[Benjamin Maggi]

Depending on your scale "Modern Rail" (Google them) is a decal manufacturer specializing in G scale but expanding into the smaller scales. They have done A&A decals for me before, and in my talks with their owner Rick he has always said it was a "circus style font." Not sure if that will help you in any way.

[userj8670]

This was going to go on the back window of my pickup not a HO train

[Benjamin Maggi]

Not THAT will be an interesting project!

[Mountcastle]

There is a font called "Pointedly Mad" that seems nearly identical to the old font on No. 18's tender:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... s%3Disch:1

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... s%3Disch:1

There is also a font called "URW Wood font" that bears a strong resemblance:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... s%3Disch:1

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... s%3Disch:1

These fonts seems to belong to either of two broader categories of fonts, one called "Western", the other...you guessed it..."Circus". If you do a Google image search of "Western font", "Circus font", "Mad Font", and "Pointedly Mad font" you'll find alot of font styles that are similar to each other, and to those originally featured on the two tenders. These fonts are all more or less evocative of the 19th Century and the "Old West"/"Wild West", which seemed to be the intent of whomever originally selected this style of lettering for the Arcade & Attica RR's excursion equipment. I somehow don't think the circus was their motivation.

The font style originally used on No. 14's tender was very similar to that originally used on No. 18's, but it was not exactly the same. The lettering on the tender of No. 14 seems unique, whereas the lettering on No. 18's tender had a more standard look about it.