I just completed this one tonight and have a couple more in progress. I'm not quite as intimidated as I used to be with messing up the factory finish on a $75 locomotive. I really like how the rust turned out on this one. I haven't tried applying any details yet to a locomotive as I think the weathering enhances it enough. However, if I were to begin looking to add details, what are the details that add the most visual benefit? I don't necessarily like a lot of details on N scale, but a few might add a great deal of realism. HuskerN www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com
That rust does look really bad in a good way :tb-wink: The dirt and dust look nice, did you use chalks or airbrush? Maybe for some details you can try some sun shades or Air-Conditioning unit details. Those are pretty noticeable details and very common on Western locos. Try to see if you can find some pictures of some SP dash 9s and that might give you placement locations.
Very nice weathering job. As for details you can go all out or just add a few prominet roof top ones such sunshades, correct antennas or domes and A/C on hood units. I'd also paint the handrail ends and step edges white.
That looks fantastic! I hope you'll tell us more about how you did the rust. For details, definitely cab sunshades. If it were me, I would have also put separate grab irons on. The first time I did that with one of my locos I couldn't believe how much difference it made. But I'd be reluctant to do so on a unit that has already been so nicely weathered. Another thing you could do at this stage of the project would be to blacken the vents to give them a bit of depth. Thanks for sharing!
That looks really good. One thing I always do is paint the handrails/step edges, fuel cap, head light, and nose door window. Just a few things with a paint brush can really improve upon a stock model. As for details sunshades, and MU/Air hoses go along way. Kevin
that unit looks so good my computer is starting to rust i really like it what or how did you do the rust
I just googled UP 9651, and I gotta say you totally nailed it! Outstanding. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=134435 http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=56693
I'll add to others and say fantastic job! I tend to go crazy with my details BUT, sun shades and paint those handrails! That will make a big, easy difference.
thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. First, the rust was actually very simply to do. Even a caveman could do it. I use tubes of acrylic paint for a lot of my recent weathering. They are the cheap plastic bottles you can buy for about a buck at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and other art/craft stores. I started with a color called toffee and simply used a dabbing motion with a superfine microbrush. The toffee was applied only around the edges where the rust transitions to paint. I then applied burnt sienna in the same fashion, starting just inside the toffee outline and filling in the area. Lastly, I applied burnt umber over the sienna. This gives the appearance of deep dark rust, but letting just enough sienna poking through resembling some newer fresher rust build up. Using the dabbing motion creates texture, which actually gives the rust a nice rough look. The weathering overall started with a "Gary Hinshaw" style fade coat, followed by some dirt and grimy black applied with an airbrush. I then simply drybrushed on acrylics. I added some more grimy black and flat back to the roof and sealed it with clear flat. The drybrushing is what gives the fuel tank the nice dirty appearance, as well as the trucks. I haven't used chalks yet, and don't know when I will go there. I am having a lot of success with paint and want to continue to hone that skill. Thanks for the detail suggestions. I have thought about white handrails, but they seem to become too chunky after painting. I guess I need to try it and see how it turns out. I do like sunshades but then the loco won't go back into its jewel box. How do you guys handle that? Also, Gary to your point. I like the idea of adding handrails, but I don't know if I could get them straight enough. They do look good if done well, but if they are crooked, they almost detract from the model. Do you use a drilling jig? Thanks again, HuskerN
Husker, Thanks for sharing your techniques. Makes me wan't to go down to the basement and try it out on a few cars. Nothing goes with SP better than dirt, and you have executed it masterfully. Jamie
Yeah, I just got a new Atlas 8-40C with sunshades...now I don't know how to store it! Since I don't have room for a layout, most of my stuff gets kept in boxes for now. I have two IM SP tunnel motors with sunshades, but I haven't put them on because I don't want them to break off.
I use BLMA sunshades and have used Sunrise in the past. I just put the loco back in the box and have never had a problem. Sure they might flatten out next to the loco but when I walk through my locomotive consist at work I fold them in. Point being they do not always need to stick out. Kevin
