Thanks for the response, fellas!
I've been developing the weathering techniques for as many years as I've been modeling. It was one of the first facets of the hobby I dabbled in. It took me many years to learn to hold back and try not to overdo it. Weathering from photos is something I got into a couple years ago and I've not looked back since.
I have loads of photos of both the railcars and the elevators, but they're all photos I took back in '91 and none of them have been scanned. My first attempt at the number 3 elevator (there are four in Bottineau) ended up getting scrapped and my only attempt at the fertilizer bulk blend plant has been destroyed moving from Colorado to Texas. But, I do have a couple photos that I took on the diorama I made for the bulk blend plant.
They're not the best photos, and your only real clue as to the detail is looking at the shadows, but unfortunately, they are all that survived. I did my own drawings for scratchbuilding this thing, so it can easily be done again. Next time I won't use photocopied brick sheet for shingles ;D
http://www.geocities.com/norfolksouthernhinose/BN-SD40-2B-7500a.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/norfolksouthernhinose/BN-SD40-2B-7501a.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/norfolksouthernhinose/BN-SD40-2Ball.JPG
I'm in the process of revamping the Bottineau Farmers Elevator website, but until I learn some basic database commands, I won't make many updates to it. I'd like to get another scanner (last one also destroyed in the move) one day, then I can really show the comparison of model to prototype.
I'll see about getting more photos up to this thread.