Varnish Fix Transfers

EMBED VIDEO HERE
In the past 15 months, we have been restoring the 5897 LMS 3rd Class Corridor Brake. Our original plans for a Period III livery scheme (1940-49) have been changed when our painter and leader of the Duchess support crew, Adrian Ashby had the bright idea to recreate the*Coronation Scot*livery to match the Streamlined 6229. So we did and the carriage will be coupled behind the Duchess for the LMS event on the weekend 24-5/9/2011. The carriage will then be on display in the Museum’s Great Hall.
The 5897 LMS 3rd Brake in 2000 in Standard LMS Livery

The repainting of the 5897 gave us the opportunity for an application of varnish fix transfers; as many of you are probably aware, it*was and still is*common practice to apply the*Company Crest and frequently*numbers and letters using special transfers. For those who are familiar with railway or airfix models, the method has great similarities to this of water-based transfers, only in full scale rather than on a*00-gauge model!
"Publicity That Sticks". Application instructions on the back of a historical tansfer dated 1957

The transfers are produced using screen-printing methods from companies specialised in Railway Transfers Insignia. Although transfers come with instructions, the LMS Carriage association has produced a technical sheet with a detailed description of the method.
Taking no risks. We tried several varnish/solvent mixes and drying times before the actual application.

The application*of the transfers took place in two stages. We used a test panel to try different mixes of varnish and drying times. Once we found the ideal*formula, we applied two LMS crests 14″ d each in the centre of the vehicles sides.
Instead of boring you with how we did it, we shot a quick video that we hope will be self-explanatory!*A future*post will be dedicated on the conservation work carried*on the LMS 3rd Brake.
The LMS Crest transfer on the side of the carriage. The final coat of gloss is yet to be applied.

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