I use paper signs printed on thin paper, then sand them thinner and adhere them to the wall using white glue, that way it's easier to work it into the bricks. Either that or I merely paint it on.
Wow! Those are tiny! A far cry from the ones I made out of clay (which later got mysteriously lost in a play-doh ball). Anyone know what's Washington's official bird?
Thanks for your comments folks!
And regarding the train's position, it was moving at full speed- for each picture the train made 2 1/2 laps around the layout.
I was right! It's from a Worth1000 contest:
http://www.worth1000.com/cache/gallery/contestcache.asp?contest_id=1570
Many hoax pictures come from there. I used to participate, but It got a bit tiresome.
I guess a GE 44 ton diesel cold handle those cars, but I don't think the PRR had them during those years. Sometimes railroads assigned some older moguls , or similar engines, for switching duties.