Yes sir, they are decals. Don't remember where it was that I first saw them but I immediately ordered a set to try. Well, here it is about 2 years later and I'm finally trying them. I'm thinking hey are going to be even better than I thought they would be. Since there are enough to do several racks, I decided this morning to go ahead with this SP one and just weather the original ConCor panels once the decals are on. Then pull out a rack I have already added etched metal panels to and do it after this one. Haven't done much weathering of freight cars before so that will be an adventure as well.
I'll be the stick in the mud here... The rust on the roof panels look too evenly spaced to me....just sayin
Well, on the spacing, it does look that way but check out the below link to a picture in RailImages plus I looked at a lot more. Seems like there are about 3 options, almost all rust, mainly no rust, and fairly evenly spaces stripes https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/southern-pacific-autorack.52825/
Finally got around to trying this today. Thank you for the tip Hemi! Pics later. It might just be okay.
It's either because the roofing is in sections that long (and the edges are less corrosion resistant), or because it is fastened with through fasteners to the roof trusses at those intervals (and the fasteners or their perforations are less corrosion resistant.)
Happy Monday!!!! Well, let's start with the SP autorack. I finished weathering the panels. After looking at a bunch of pics, I think it has the right feel. Still not sure if I like it or not. Side A Side B Late Saturday afternoon, I received a package of new pick ups. The unassembled crew cab pick ups were 5 bucks cheaper that way wile the utility version was the same price assembled or a kit. No brainer there. These were super easy to assemble and the only thing I noticed on the unassembled vs assembled is that the kit version doesn't have the F250 logo painted on the fenders like the assembled version. Not really something that one would notice on the layout anyway. Here they are assembled. and next up with some decals applied. I only got one side done so next chance I get, will have to do the other side and the backs to finish them up. To work on these, I broke out the new Opti-visor the family got me for Christmas. Wow, did that make a difference. Don't think I realized how much I needed it. One thing I did learn was to not move my head around too much while wearing it. Was slightly disorienting during the quick moves and made me feel a little queasy. Once I figured that out, I was good to go.
The other project for the weekend was working on a styrene top for the grain silos. I cut the sheets to fit the backdrop first and then tacked them to the top of the silos. Once set, I began the cutting process. It took a good bit of time but got through the whole section Remember, that section is just tacked on so it would need to be glued down better which would help the look some. Then, it either needs some sanding and filling at spots or I may just scrap this top and start over. Either way, I'm not thrilled with how it is now. However, I do feel more like I am on the right track with this project now. That's about it on the model train front from the weekend. Hope you all had a good weekend as well.
Well, I said that's all but I forgot about the corn. I put this on the layout late spring last year. Another one of those it looks okay but not really type of things. Our friend Hemi pointed me to a page where someone was having the same concern and how they fixed it. The fix was to add tassels to the corn to improve the look. I orders the two shades or W/S paint recommended, burnt umber and yellow orcid and had them a couple of weeks later. Well, after staring at those two bottles of paint for 6+ months, I finally got around to giving the fix a try. Here are the results. Definitely looks better. Still not great though. It's at least good enough that it will go from bugging me to the update/upgrade someday list. That brings to mind another random thought. What to do with that open area behind the corn that is between he single track line and the double track. My original thought had been more trees but I realize that would block the view of that whole section of double track from that end of the layout so that's out. Next up is the possibility of searching out 3 or 4 more boxes of Bluford Shops corn to fill in the area. That's just a maybe at this point. However, here is what is floating around in my mind. Just need to figure out if I could really do it and make it look decent. A solar farm? (not my pic) Hmmmmm…… maybe?
A solar farm in that area would look awesome...JMO Low enough to not obscure the view but adds a lot to the scene.
That corn really looks much better now. Great job! On a side note, the silo tops might be a good candidate for a router. Get the bit that makes a straight cut, and has a bearing on the end to follow along the edges. Set the depth to have the bearing riding on the silo side and cut the silo top off nice and cleanly. Trim routers are good for this. Not sure if a 1/8" shank router bit for the dremel exists that has the bearing. I know they have bits, but not if there's a bit with a bearing out there in that shank size.
I think they make 1/8" bits with solid pilots. Too expensive to use a high speed bearing that small. But that's an excellent idea, to use a router or dremel! If you have a router table, even better... Just keep the bit (or the work) moving, since heat can melt the plastic.
Yup, I have a solid pilot Dremel router bit. It's easy to burn the work when the pilot rotates and contacts the work, and that's with wood. Plastic will be much harder to prevent burning.