Weathering Rolling Stock, a Continous thread

[Smudge617]

When I started I got cars at a train show. There are always cars in a box under the tables that the vendors have for cheap. I still have some I try different techniques on to see how they work.

I bought 6 cars, various types this morning, all have issues of some kind, but as you say, I need to practice, as I really want to learn Tom's fading and rust techniques.

 

[Smudge617]

On the bench.

A Fox Valley Models, transfere caboose in Milwaukee Road, I saw these almost everyday while in college from 1970 to 1974 in Milwaukee. Purchased to patch into a Wisconsin River Valley and Terminal RR my freelance road

2 Athearn bulkhead flats in BN and TTPX and 1 Walthers mainline CSX 65’ mill gondola. Theses are heading to the paint booth. I am spraying on the gondola, 80% IPA to 20% white with 2 drops of the X-21 base. The 2 flats will be sprayed with just VMC mat clear varnish
View attachment 155988View attachment 155989View attachment 155990View attachment 155991

Argghhh! Spent most of last night and nearly 4 hrs this morning looking for the FVM transfer Caboose you have, and like hens teeth to find, no one has one, either in the UK, Europe or the US, or at least not that I can find

 

[TLOC]

Argghhh! Spent most of last night and nearly 4 hrs this morning looking for the FVM transfer Caboose you have, and like hens teeth to find, no one has one, either in the UK, Europe or the US, or at least not that I can find

I didn’t realize it was rare. I purchased it at

Hiawathahobbies.com

that is 75 miles local to me. Had like 10 in stock back when I purchased it in 2020-21 but I just checked, zip in inventory.

Springcreekmodeltrains.com

has undecorated in stock, BUT, their inventory online is iffy, email to confirm before ordering

Chris—I sent you a message

 

[Smudge617]

I didn’t realize it was rare. I purchased it at

Hiawathahobbies.com

that is 75 miles local to me. Had like 10 in stock back when I purchased it in 2020-21 but I just checked, zip in inventory.

Springcreekmodeltrains.com

has undecorated in stock, BUT, their inventory online is iffy, email to confirm before ordering

Chris—I sent you a message

I checked Hiawatha's website early this morning, they showed 1 Atlas and 2 Roundhouse Caboose.
I don’t the think the FVM is rare, just very popular, it is kind of a unique design, could well be they haven't had a production run in a while, with Covid etc.

 

[TLOC]

I checked Hiawatha's website early this morning, they showed 1 Atlas and 2 Roundhouse Caboose.
I don’t the think the FVM is rare, just very popular, it is kind of a unique design, could well be they haven't had a production run in a while, with Covid etc.

Found this and it crazy

 

[TLOC]

Hi from the bench. No weathering today for me. From yesterday, to be finished another time

I have layout things to do. I do though at the bench have a few cars to add the reflective yellow safety strips to.

Starting with the WC gondola pictured above and moving to at least 4 boxcars. The striping does wear on my eyes pretty quick so 5 spread out over the day should be fine. Interesting, 2 bulkhead flats I have at the weathering side of the bench even with pictures dated 2013 do not have the stripes

Have a great day

EDIT

3 hours later. the safety stripes were mandated by the NRA in 2005 with new cars immediately and a maximum of 10 years, so for my time frame of 2005, the stripes are not necessary as the cars were both built in 1969

 

[Smudge617]

Found this and it crazy

View attachment 156129

Thanks, but their not that rare yet.

 

[Smudge617]

Hi from the bench. No weathering today for me. From yesterday, to be finished another time
View attachment 156141View attachment 156142View attachment 156143View attachment 156144View attachment 156145View attachment 156146
I have layout things to do. I do though at the bench have a few cars to add the reflective yellow safety strips to.

Starting with the WC gondola pictured above and moving to at least 4 boxcars. The striping does wear on my eyes pretty quick so 5 spread out over the day should be fine. Interesting, 2 bulkhead flats I have at the weathering side of the bench even with pictures dated 2013 do not have the stripes

Have a great day

EDIT

3 hours later. the safety stripes were mandated by the NRA in 2005 with new cars immediately and a maximum of 10 years, so for my time frame of 2005, the stripes are not necessary as the cars were both built in 1969

Tom
In your 2nd and 6th foto, in the foreground what are you using as ground cover, Sawdust ?

 

[TLOC]

It’s from Arizona Rock and Minerals and it is called industrial dirt #2000.

ARMBALLAST.COM. be aware the formulas never seem the same ven within the same order. It’s real stuff

Above, there are some wood shavings on the ground from the pulp cars scattering with the wind

The only sawdust on the layout was used right here

 

[Smudge617]

It’s from Arizona Rock and Minerals and it is called industrial dirt #2000.

ARMBALLAST.COM. be aware the formulas never seem the same ven within the same order. It’s real stuff
View attachment 156156View attachment 156157
Above, there are some wood shavings on the ground from the pulp cars scattering with the wind

The only sawdust on the layout was used right here
View attachment 156161

Thanks, Had a look, I see what you mean about the formula being different, but I love the fact the website gives you "Bags" or "lbs" but no weight of either ?

 

[TLOC]

Thanks, Had a look, I see what you mean about the formula being different, but I love the fact the website gives you "Bags" or "lbs" but no weight of either ?

1 bag equals 11+ ounces. Almost 3/4 of a pound

 

[Smudge617]

1 bag equals 11+ ounces. Almost 3/4 of a pound
View attachment 156167

OK, why I didn't see it I don't know, sorry, think it's time for bed.

 

[CambriaArea51]

The 4 coal cars are gloss coated and ready for decals. This is one side and one end.

 

[TLOC]

The 4 coal cars are gloss coated and ready for decals. This is one side and one end.View attachment 156168

Have fun with those. I am adding safety stripes today

 

[Smudge617]

My weathering practice cars arrived today, the two loco bodies I have, also joined the weathering practice queue, different type bodies will obviously give different results, hence the varied selection.

And the two "Rust" colours I needed arrived, so, as long as I remember to paint the cars and not me, it should be a fun learning curve.

 

[TLOC]

Practice, practice and experiment. Have fun

 

[TLOC]

I was asked via FB Messenger by a long time friend do I use Pan Pastels (PP) and if I do, how long does it take to weather a car. I have not responded yet.

I do use Pan Pastels on my cars that I use on my layout. I have only done a few cars for a couple friends. I like the easy blending effects I can get with the PP colors.

I rarely use the PP on cars intended to sell or are commissioned unless requested. Basically for hi-lites only.

How long does it take? That depends. He-he! Generally a light to medium car will take an hour to 2. I do not heavily weather cars with PP.

Do you clear coat? Yes, I will first clear coat the car after I clean it. But, that’s it. There are no additional clear coats added. I will spray a few cars the night before, throw them in the dehydrator and they are dry for the next day’s action. It gives a slight fade and grip for the Pan Pastels to latch onto. But, the actual application of Pan Pastels is 1-2 hours.

Why don’t I clear coat during the process? Folks have told me, that chalks and pastel powders melt away after clear coating. I have not seen that. But I use the Pan Pastel brand and they are different then chalks and cosmetic pastels. When I used Testors dull cote, it was so lightly sprayed on, I doubt anything could have melted away. I now use VMS mat clear varnish but again too lightly to tell. Now though, for my own stuff I do not clear coat PP. Why take a chance, plus once on the layout my rolling stock is rarely touched.

Would I sell PP weathered cars? While I prefer Tamiya and Vallejo Arcylics, I will not say never.

Starting after the New Year I will be showing cars weathered with the Abteilung 502 oils. In practice I am getting a very nice covering and the rust effects are very cool. But, even though I use a dehydrator, the drying time is greatly increased, not by minutes but by hours.

 

[Smudge617]

I was asked via FB Messenger by a long time friend do I use Pan Pastels (PP) and if I do, how long does it take to weather a car. I have not responded yet.

I do use Pan Pastels on my cars that I use on my layout. I have only done a few cars for a couple friends. I like the easy blending effects I can get with the PP colors.

I rarely use the PP on cars intended to sell or are commissioned unless requested. Basically for hi-lites only.

How long does it take? That depends. He-he! Generally a light to medium car will take an hour to 2. I do not heavily weather cars with PP.

Do you clear coat? Yes, I will first clear coat the car after I clean it. But, that’s it. There are no additional clear coats added. I will spray a few cars the night before, throw them in the dehydrator and they are dry for the next day’s action. It gives a slight fade and grip for the Pan Pastels to latch onto. But, the actual application of Pan Pastels is 1-2 hours.

Why don’t I clear coat during the process? Folks have told me, that chalks and pastel powders melt away after clear coating. I have not seen that. But I use the Pan Pastel brand and they are different then chalks and cosmetic pastels. When I used Testors dull cote, it was so lightly sprayed on, I doubt anything could have melted away. I now use VMS mat clear varnish but again too lightly to tell. Now though, for my own stuff I do not clear coat PP. Why take a chance, plus once on the layout my rolling stock is rarely touched.

Would I sell PP weathered cars? While I prefer Tamiya and Vallejo Arcylics, I will not say never.

Starting after the New Year I will be showing cars weathered with the Abteilung 502 oils. In practice I am getting a very nice covering and the rust effects are very cool. But, even though I use a dehydrator, the drying time is greatly increased, not by minutes but by hours.

Something to definitely look forward too then, interesting to see how you work your magic with oils.

 

[Smudge617]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, back to square one I think.

 

[AirbrushNo5]

I think it looks fine…
It’s like a black hole…you can keep adding paint and pigment till u hit the Event Horizon…then there is no turning back