Uploaded October 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Last year a fellow modeler had introduced me to actual reflective safety striping for scale models made by Smokebox Graphics. I recently ordered a Locomotive set, and a 3-color freight car set. The sheets of reflective material come precut for all the needed scale sized stripes. The 3 different shades of yellow in the freight car kit simulate sun-faded striping. Not only have I been adding the striping to equipment that is not up to regulations, I've even been going over cars that had screen printed striping from the manufacturer so they all reflect evenly during photo sessions.
The company makes a darker yellow locomotive kit for CSX engines, a white locomotive kit for NS and IC engines, and a white freight car kit.
In 2005, the FRA mandated that all railroad equipment be retrofitted with reflective safety Conspicuity Striping for better visibility at night. A standard for how much striping was needed for various types of equipment was established. New equipment with striping applied at the factory is straight and even. But over time this becomes sun-faded or covered with graffiti, and must be reapplied in the field. This striping is generally crooked and uneven. Additionally, some individual stripes on one piece of equipment could be several different shades of yellow, or missing altogether if covered by graffiti.
I am in no way endorsed or sponsored by this company. I just really like their product. You can find them at smokeboxgraphics.com
If you havent already, like us on Facebook to see photos and short video clips of our various projects in production.
facebook.com/signalupproductions
Last year a fellow modeler had introduced me to actual reflective safety striping for scale models made by Smokebox Graphics. I recently ordered a Locomotive set, and a 3-color freight car set. The sheets of reflective material come precut for all the needed scale sized stripes. The 3 different shades of yellow in the freight car kit simulate sun-faded striping. Not only have I been adding the striping to equipment that is not up to regulations, I've even been going over cars that had screen printed striping from the manufacturer so they all reflect evenly during photo sessions.
The company makes a darker yellow locomotive kit for CSX engines, a white locomotive kit for NS and IC engines, and a white freight car kit.
In 2005, the FRA mandated that all railroad equipment be retrofitted with reflective safety Conspicuity Striping for better visibility at night. A standard for how much striping was needed for various types of equipment was established. New equipment with striping applied at the factory is straight and even. But over time this becomes sun-faded or covered with graffiti, and must be reapplied in the field. This striping is generally crooked and uneven. Additionally, some individual stripes on one piece of equipment could be several different shades of yellow, or missing altogether if covered by graffiti.
I am in no way endorsed or sponsored by this company. I just really like their product. You can find them at smokeboxgraphics.com
If you havent already, like us on Facebook to see photos and short video clips of our various projects in production.
facebook.com/signalupproductions
