Weathering Rolling Stock, a Continous thread

[AirbrushNo5]

Tyco cars…. that is a great idea…

 

[bigfoot13]

First attempt at weathering with some pan pastels. Still need to finish it up so open to recommendations. Need to add another set of dunnage between the different lengths of steel. Also some strapping is in the mail hopefully gets here next week.

 

[TLOC]

First attempt at weathering with some pan pastels. Still need to finish it up so open to recommendations. Need to add another set of dunnage between the different lengths of steel. Also some strapping is in the mail hopefully gets here next week.

Bigfoot13 welcome to the Continous thread…

First! I like the weathering on the flat car. I don‘t know if you used a prototype picture of a flat, but that looks very good and real. Good color and varied coverage. Less is more is difficult to achieve as we start out but IMO you nailed it. A bit more rust coverage needed on the left still showing white stirup. Did you use a sponge to apply the Pan Pastels? For the stirup I would suggest a brush, especially if you just want a light coating?

Looking at the flat sheet load… the coloring is right. No one can say if the pattern of rust on the sheets is right or wrong. I have seen sheet in yards or on flat cars that are all over the map. The patterns of rust maybe from moisture on the sheets and possible air movement of the moisture on the sheet during car movement. Streaks of rust and a few inches over still the sheet color from the plant. The edging could use a bit of color, just eliminate the clean edge. Those of what I have seen are usually more rusted then the flat of the sheets. It depends on how long since the sheet came off the production line, but there always seems to be some rusting.

I have used Pan Pastels (PP) on styrene made to look like sheet steel. I have applied with the foam sponge a light coating of umber. Then when I like it, sprayed it back then with Testor DullCote in the can. (For the last month and a half I am using VMS’s matte varnish). I then took multi colors of PP and stippled it on with a brush. Overlapping each stippling mark as I saw fit. Sprayed again with Testors DullCote. I apply the stipple of PP or a sponge with enough pressure I have not had a drastic loss of color or the PP themselves when a clear cote has been added. When I have lightly stippled and sprayed clear, yes I have lost the color and effect! Experiment…your results are going to vary

Wheelsets and trucks. After both have been cleaned to remove mold release compound or oils I have used PP for both to IMO mixed results. The trucks I have done was 2 fold after cleaning. Any dark brown PP heavily rubbed on and then a charcoal PP color lightly stippled and done with a brush. Wheel faces, I prefer Arcylic paints but did try it with a PP. I was told after posting they looked uneven and chunky. They did
The picture is Arcylic paint no PP

Strapping! What do you have coming? I use chartex tape

Dunnage! New, old or why did they use that? I have seen any of it on flat cars both in person or more often the last 3 years online. I generally use 4’ as my spacing unless I found the requirements online. Or guesstimate if you know the length product being supported. I think you have plenty in the picture.

A good 1st start and hopefully others will check in and offer constructive criticism and suggestions.

Just remember, Pan Pastels are very forgiving and can literally be wiped off with a paper towel or even a soft eraser. But before adding a clear coat. Or if stubborn use a qtip/cotton swab with a touch of 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Have fun

 

[bigfoot13]

Thanks @TLOC. No pictures other then my memory bank ask a kid being around a little bit of steel. Also a quick search that didn't give any results that I liked
Yeah I hadn't gotten to the trucks or wheels yet.

For the steel I used a styrene "for sale sign" and cut the sheets 8' x 40' or less. The signs are about 0.01" and 0.015". On some hand painted with some acrylic blackish sludge I had laying around and then applied PP with a sponge. The other I did a gray primer followed by black washes of Tamiya flat black and then PP. I've dull coated some with a Krylon rattle can but didn't like the final finish so dusted with a little more PP. Oh yeah the car had a very thin wash of the black before the PP.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Chart tape looks good for strapping but it's very difficult to secure in place. Yeah, the sticky side sticks for a while but after a few weeks its comes loose. I've tried glue but that doesn't stick because of the gummy glue on it.

 

[TLOC]

Thanks @TLOC. No pictures other then my memory bank ask a kid being around a little bit of steel. Also a quick search that didn't give any results that I liked
Yeah I hadn't gotten to the trucks or wheels yet.

For the steel I used a styrene "for sale sign" and cut the sheets 8' x 40' or less. The signs are about 0.01" and 0.015". On some hand painted with some acrylic blackish sludge I had laying around and then applied PP with a sponge. The other I did a gray primer followed by black washes of Tamiya flat black and then PP. I've dull coated some with a Krylon rattle can but didn't like the final finish so dusted with a little more PP. Oh yeah the car had a very thin wash of the black before the PP.

Bigfoot13

remember it’s what you think looks right to you. Good choice on materials. Experiment with the process until you find a method that works for you and then continue to use it. I still am working on that. Keep posting your work

Tom

 

[TLOC]

Chart tape looks good for strapping but it's very difficult to secure in place. Yeah, the sticky side sticks for a while but after a few weeks its comes loose. I've tried glue but that doesn't stick because of the gummy glue on it.

Ken, you are right about Chart tape. I have found a drop of Alene’s sticky glue, spread out with a tooth pick, on the backside of a load, wait about 30 seconds and then wrap. like the ties I showed above the tape does hold so far for me.

Thanks for the comment

 

[TLOC]

Good morning. No, the 2 bay hoppers are not done and there are no other projects being done at the weathering bench. James was in no hurry and with the passing of his younger sister I stopped posting.

The 9 cars all are faded, the first 3 are almost ready for some publicity but not yet.

Between the weathering sessions I have been entertaining the wife and the now visiting sister. I also have been working on my layout. The September auto trip East is off even though we might still overnight to Grand Rapids, Mi. to visit the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. All depends on my sister’s medical visits!

enjoy the day

 

[TLOC]

We are in Grand Haven Michigan on the shore of the same named lake. Man this is nice. Tomorrow Grand Rapids to the President Ford Museum. So some trains in Wyoming, Michigan but we were going one way and the trains the other.

Terry has been driving which is why we took the SUV instead of my VW. Room for me in the backseat. Man, can my sister and wife talk…

 

[TLOC]

Good afternoon from the walk-in clinic on Mackinaw Island. We have found out Terry is allergic to bee or wasp bites. She got nailed twice this morning on a buggy ride and the driver took one look after she got hit and asked if she was allergic, said no. The driver said well you are going to the clinic. She is fine, her left hand is about twice it’s size. She got a shot, a Perscription and a demand she stay here till 1PM to make sure she is fine. The buggy driver told us to call when we can leave. No cars on the island.

So, I am cleaning out my photo library. These are 2 of the 9 Covered Hoppers for James I was working on when we left. The coil car I have worked on for myself over the last 6 weeks or so, I finally liked it. Added the safety stripes, added the coils and got the 2 hoods done the way I like. Now to sell it when I get home

more later

 

[Alcomotive]

Good afternoon from the walk-in clinic on Mackinaw Island. We have found out Terry is allergic to bee or wasp bites. She got nailed twice this morning on a buggy ride and the driver took one look after she got hit and asked if she was allergic, said no. The driver said well you are going to the clinic. She is fine, her left hand is about twice it’s size. She got a shot, a Perscription and a demand she stay here till 1PM to make sure she is fine. The buggy driver told us to call when we can leave. No cars on the island.View attachment 152105View attachment 152106View attachment 152108View attachment 152110

So, I am cleaning out my photo library. These are 2 of the 9 Covered Hoppers for James I was working on when we left. The coil car I have worked on for myself over the last 6 weeks or so, I finally liked it. Added the safety stripes, added the coils and got the 2 hoods done the way I like. Now to sell it when I get home
View attachment 152111
more later

Looks great Tom!

 

[TLOC]

Some touch up yet and a clear varnish. They roll very nice.

I have pictures of the others but can’t locate them on the iPhone. Post when we get home

 

[TLOC]

We are home for a couple days and we will head up to Ashland, Wi. and then over to the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin.

Here are the faded cars that did not transfer to my cell phone library. The 2 bay hoppers are next up

That is just the base shade coat on the right side backdrop building