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This is to go along with the rolling stock thread. Engines will be the topic here. Information, tips, and how to are welcome. Everyone does weathering different, no right or wrong.
I did a thread a while back on CSX 906 so that is done.I have a few others I've done. While I don't have progress pictures on these Chessie System engines, here the final product.
These were weathered with powders and airbrush. The grills were hand painted flat black and airbrushed grimy black to blend. The trucks and tanks were done with earth powder and airbrushed with earth and grimy black. Sides airbrushed with medium earth. All were airbrushed with dull coat to seal and remove shine.
Thanks for starting the thread Tom. Looking forward to what shows up
The last locomotive I weathered was a brass steam engine before I got married in 1976
I took this picture last October to use in a For Sale on Facebook. It sold quickly…
I send my diesels out to be weathered. Rob Arsenault of “weather my trains” is IMO the best of the best
I only have 7 locomotives on the roster. 3 CN and 3 WRVT RR and one stripped down. I currently just have 1 weathered as pictured. 3 at Rob’s and 3 unweathered at home
This thread may help me get off my backside and start doing my own.
This will be another great thread to follow!
Thanks for starting the thread Tom. Looking forward to what shows up
No problem.
I think engines can be intimidating due to everyone looks at the engine and the cost over rolling stock. As a modern modeler tier 4 engines run cleaner then the dash 8's, 9's and AC4400 for example. They show more dirt/mud type then the black greasy exhaust soot.
I will also be following this thread.
No problem.
I think engines can be intimidating due to everyone looks at the engine and the cost over rolling stock. As a modern modeler tier 4 engines run cleaner then the dash 8's, 9's and AC4400 for example. They show more dirt/mud type then the black greasy exhaust soot.
Ok, I am in.
I just pulled this off the rack to the prep bench
I put a liquid mask on the lights, number boards and window glass. That should be dry enough in 90 minutes. Then it will get a spray of VMS clear matt finish. It then will sit for at least 24 hours to thoroughly dry.
The plan is to panel line everything with Tamiya black. Clean it up and clear coat.
Then a good strong fade on the stripe area.
This is the only picture I could find in a brief search online of CN9433. Photograpgher is credited on the picture from Railpictures.net.
I may heavily fade the nose like my other CN Gp40-2l.
Another one from the same site. I am done looking though. This gives me a good view of the frame and another reference to the nose. I didn’t notice the date of the picture but this will help
If it comes out like your freight cars, then it will look great!
View attachment 162638Another one from the same site. I am done looking though. This gives me a good view of the frame and another reference to the nose. I didn’t notice the date of the picture but this will help
Looks mostly faded and rust on the bottom. Shouldn't be bad to do, good one to get your feet wet.
I find it strange that there's no MU cable.
Looks mostly faded and rust on the bottom. Shouldn't be bad to do, good one to get your feet wet.
I find it strange that there's no MU cable.
Thanks. Not that there were many good viewable pictures for CN 9433 I think these give a good indication of what it looked like in 2015. The stripes on these generally are pretty beat up but in the pictures I have found none show a lot of chipping effects. Yep,I also think a good one to start out on.
Next one to work on. Did a little to start but needs to get finished.
I haven’t kept up with my fleet at all but hoping to catch up this summer. Getting my inspiration here!
I have a jar that I clean my brushes in, all and any colors, then use the mixture to airbrush.
Heres an Athearn GP38 that still needs details added.

Between last night and this morning I got the BNSF engine done. First I hand painted the grills in flat black and the airbrushed grimy black to blend.
Then I hand painted the wheel faces by running the engine wheels. Can't have a weathered engine and shiny wheels.
Next was grimy black around the exhaust and a light coat on the trucks. Then a light coat of earth before the whole engine gets a dull coat.
Lastly I tried something different, I took some gloss and a brush and made a fuel wet spot down the tank and some spots on the other side that were spill drops that have dirt collected on them.
Next was the BNSF 25th anniversary unit. They keep these pretty clean from the pics I've seen. The grills get hand painted flat black then airbrushed blended with grimy black. The trucks were lightly airbrushed with grimy black along with the ends. The tanks were light on the top and a bit more on the bottom. The wheels were also painted a rust color to get rid of the shine.
A very very light coat of dull on the whole engine, remember they keep them clean as much as possible.
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