How do I get wheels and trucks to look prototipical?

[The Minuteman]

The Cotton Belt loco looks petty good to me but, I need help with fieght cars. I feel that I am not get all that I can. HELP!!

 

[UP2CSX]

Wow, your pictures are really blurry. It's hard to see the detail on the trucks. The first thing to do is remove each wheel and paint the center a rust-orange color. The trucks themselves take on much of the same grime that gets on the car, so that should be the predominante color. For example, the wheels on the covered hopper look fine but the trucks have way too much rust and not enough dirt and grime. The SP boxcar has too much rust on the trucks and none on the wheels. Both cars have rust as the main element of weathering but you really need to blend the rust with other colors like light gray and some black. Chalks are ideal for this kind of weathering. Do you have an airbrush? If so, starting with a very light overspray that's close to the same color of the car will fade the lettering and make the whole car look like it's been in the weather for a while. It takes a while to get the look right so don't get frustrated. Look at lots of prototype photos and practice on some junk cars until you're able to get the car to look similar to the prototype.

 

[The Minuteman]

Thanks again Jim. I do have an airbrush. Never thought to mist the car first, will have to experiment with this. Sorry about the pic's, old camera. Also, not sure yet how you guys all post these bigger photos to see the work better. Any clues??

 

[jdetray]

Hi Scotty -

If you click on the thumbnail photos, the larger version appear. Nothing wrong with that.

To make large photos appear right in the post, you must first upload the photos to a photo sharing site such as Photo Bucket. Then you can put the larger version in the post.

Either way, the photos must be in focus.

- Jeff

 

[The Minuteman]

Thanks Jeff, I will look into it.

 

[wheeler1963]

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14937